FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As details of Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins' injury surfaced Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons defense began to alter its game plan for Sunday's Week 13 matchup.
Dobbins is reportedly expected to miss Sunday's game in Atlanta due to a sprained MCL sustained during the Chargers' Monday loss to the Baltimore Ravens. That immediately sharpens the Falcons' defensive focus on Gus Edwards, the Chargers' other go-to running back.
The question now is then who? The Chargers aren't solely going to rely on Edwards.
"There's always somebody that they elevate that you just don't know about," Bates said. "I'm sure that guy's just sitting there, waiting for his opportunity. I'm not sure who it is. I haven't looked that far on the depth chart."
Well, that guy very well could be rookie running back Kimani Vidal, a Marietta native.
"So, he's coming back home," Bates said. "I'm sure he'll be ready to put his foot in the ground and do what he needs to do to have some success."
Vidal was the Chargers' sixth-round draft pick this year. He has appeared in four games, totaling 21 touches and 93 yards from scrimmage. He has carried the ball 18 times for 44 yards, and he has scored on a 38-yard reception.
It's likely Vidal will be called upon to help fill Dobbins' void because he did the same when Edwards missed four games due to an ankle injury.
Even combined, though, Edwards and Vidal don't match Dobbins' production this season. Dobbins has 900 yards from scrimmage. Edwards has 208, which gives him and Vidal a 301 total.
"I wouldn't say anything like (the injury) doesn't matter because it does," Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. "He's a special player. But at the end of the day, they got some guys that can tote the rock as well."
Dobbins was injured shortly before halftime against the Ravens and did not return after the break. In the first half, the Chargers ran for 76 yards on 15 carries. In the second half, they ran for 7 yards on five carries.
To be fair, the Chargers trailed the Ravens through the remainder of the game, so Los Angeles switched to a more pass-heavy attack. The drop in rushing numbers could be chalked up to that, especially given Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh's tendencies.
"They are going to run the football," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "They haven't been probably as effective as they want to be in their run game, but that's not going to persuade them or stop them from trying."
The Chargers' offense is ranked No. 13 in rushing with an average of 118.1 yards per game. The Falcons' defense, meanwhile, is No. 19, allowing an average of 127.2 rushing yards per game.
Atlanta has limited opponents to 114 rushing yards or fewer in all but one game once since Week 5, though. Its season best — so far — is 96 rushing yards in the Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints, who have the No. 9 rushing offense with an average of 130.7 yards per game. The Falcons have given up more than 137 rushing yards just twice this season.
"Any week, it's about stopping the run," Bates said. "I feel like we've gotten better at that. Just something that we have to continue to build off."
