For several weeks during the 2023 NFL season, Josh Dobbs was just as much of a phenomenon as he was a professional football player.
After being traded on Oct. 31 from the Arizona Cardinals to the Minnesota Vikings, who were looking for help at the position following a season-ending Achilles injury to Kirk Cousins, Dobbs was thrust into the spotlight and became one of the most captivating stories in the sport.
When rookie starter Jaren Hall was injured in a Nov. 5 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Dobbs was inserted into the game just five days after being acquired and, with little knowledge or familiarity with the team’s playbook, guided the Vikings to a thrilling 31-28 victory.
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Since then, the former Tennessee standout has remained the starter and amassed a 2-2 record in the games in which he has appeared for the Vikings`. His success in that time has even earned the former aerospace engineering major and NASA intern a nickname – “the Passtronaut.”
After some stumbles in recent weeks, though, where does Dobbs stand heading into Minnesota’s game Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders?
Here’s everything you need to know about Dobbs’ playing status and season:
Is Josh Dobbs starting this week?
Following victories against the Falcons and New Orleans Saints – with Dobbs throwing for 268 yards and a touchdown in the latter – the former second-team all-SEC selection has struggled a bit.
He had two turnovers, an interception and a fumble, in a Nov. 19 loss at the Denver Broncos and threw four interceptions in a loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 27 on “Monday Night Football.”
Those shortcomings raised questions about whether Dobbs would remain the starter, particularly with Hall healthy after suffering a concussion in the win against the Falcons. Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell cleared up that uncertainty earlier this week, when he said Dobbs will get the start against the Raiders.
“We’ve been in a process of trying to provide him with clarity on what we’re doing offensively and then we’re learning a lot about each other as we go,” O’Connell said to reporters on Thursday. “That’s why I love having him here — his work ethic, spending a lot of time with him, getting to know him, and continuing to dive deeper into what helps him be the best version of himself. That’s what I know that we pride ourselves on around here, is helping our players do that. So whether it’s schematically, fundamentally, what are we asking him to do in what situation or phase of the game? That’s where we can continue to all elevate our ability to help each other but, more importantly, elevate Josh’s ability to sustain success.”
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Josh Dobbs 2023 stats
In four games with the Vikings this season, Dobbs has completed a career-best 66.4% of his passes for 832 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions, along with 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also has three fumbles.
Across 12 games this season with the Vikings and Cardinals – four with the former, eight with the latter – Dobbs is completing 64% of his passes for 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for 400 yards and six touchdowns.
