Josh Dobbs has a new home this season with the San Fransisco 49ers after a wild 2023-24 season saw him start games for both the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.
Now with the 49ers, Dobbs is competing with Brandon Allen to be Brock Purdy’s backup on the reigning NFC Champions.
In San Fransisco’s second preseason game on Sunday night, Dobbs earned an abundance of playing time and performed well in the 49ers 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Just like in his days at Tennessee, Dobbs showed an elite ability to run the football. On one run, he turned in a complete Houdini act. Dobbs rolled right before turning back left and scrambling for 12 yards while evading a multitude of Saints defenders.
JOSH DOBBS!
📺: #NOvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/XrspNKQKvX— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2024
Dobbs later found the end zone on a fourth down run right before halftime. The former Tennessee quarterback kept the ball on a read option and juked out the defensive end in the backfield for diving into the end zone for a touchdown.
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While his most notable plays came with his legs, Dobbs also made plays with his arm. The biggest play Dobbs made through the air was this 38-yard strike down the sideline that set up the ensuing touchdown run.
38-yard strike ‼️ @josh_dobbs1 x @jaycowing_#NOvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/bEyhMjUZzU— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 19, 2024
Dobbs finished the night completing 12-of-21 passes for 131 yards leading the game in passing. The former Tennessee standout added 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground on three carries also leading San Fransisco in rushing.
The Alpharetta, Georgia native is entering the eighth year of his NFL career and has become quite the journeyman. He’s on his seventh NFL team after stints with the Steelers, Jaguars, Browns, Titans, Cardinals and Vikings.
After spending most of the 2023 season as a starter, Dobbs is looking to earn the backup job for the 49ers. He’s competing for the job with Brandon Allen who completed seven-of-10 passes for 36 yards on Sunday.
