EL SEGUNDO — Running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a sprained knee during the Chargers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night and is likely to be sidelined for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he “didn’t really know how to categorize” the injury, however.

“He’s working through something with his knee,” Harbaugh added.

The NFL Network, citing an unnamed source, said Dobbins would be out this week.

Dobbins gained 40 yards on six carries before he was sidelined in the second quarter of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss on Monday. The Chargers turned to Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins in Dobbins’ absence in the second half, but relied almost exclusively on their passing game after trailing 14-13 at halftime.

The Chargers (7-4) rushed only five times in the second half.

Overall, Edwards had nine carries for 11 yards and one touchdown and Haskins had one carry for 3 yards. Quarterback Justin Herbert rushed four times for 29 yards and one touchdown, a 5-yard scramble on the Chargers’ first drive of the game. Edwards’ 1-yard touchdown run came on their final possession.

“Gus is heating up,” Harbaugh said. “Great to have him back in there.”

Edwards has rushed for 206 yards and one touchdown on 63 carries in seven games, spending four games on injured reserve because of an ankle injury. Harbaugh was uncertain whether Dobbins’ injury would force him onto the injured reserve list and a minimum of a four-game layoff.

“Don’t know that yet,” Harbaugh said of the possibility of Dobbins going on IR.

Haskins has rushed for 26 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, primarily playing an impactful role on special teams. Rookie Kimani Vidal, another possible replacement for Dobbins, has rushed for 44 yards on 18 carries and caught three passes for 49 yards and one touchdown.

Dobbins has rushed for a team-leading 766 yards (fourth in the AFC) and eight touchdowns on 156 carries. He and Edwards signed with the Chargers in the offseason as free agents after starting their careers with the Ravens. Dobbins, 25, has had an injury-plagued career, but hasn’t missed a game so far this season. His 2023 season ended early after he sustained a torn Achilles tendon in the Ravens’ season opener.

Herbert is the Chargers’ second-leading rusher with 211 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries, most coming on scrambles away from on-rushing defenders. He set a career-high with a 38-yard scramble in the first quarter of the Chargers’ 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 27.

SAMUEL (NON) UPDATE

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. hasn’t played since the Chargers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, placed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. Harbaugh declined to speculate whether Samuel would be sidelined for the remainder of the season, referring questions to Samuel.

Samuel isn’t required to speak to reporters while on IR.

So, his extended absence has been something of a mystery.

However, his absence has opened the door for rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still to move into the starting lineup. Hart is sidelined by an ankle injury that required him to wear a protective boot while watching Monday’s game from the sideline. Still has been a reliable fill-in with 33 tackles and one interception.

“No, I don’t expect him back this week,” Harbaugh said of Samuel.