Dolphins tailback De’Von Achane sidelined by calf injury
The Miami Dolphins are putting De’Von Achane on ice for the next few days, if not weeks, hoping rest will alleviate the tenderness the speedster has in one of his lower legs.
According to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Achane missed last Thursday’s joint practice with the Detroit Lions and Sunday’s preseason win against Detroit because of a calf injury he likely sustained in Wednesday’s joint practice.
Calves are typically viewed as tricky injuries, especially for players who rely heavily on their speed such as Achane because it could lead to other strains, if not knee issues since the calf is usually overcompensating for another injured or stressed muscle.
“[A] calf is the one we have to be super proactive [about], especially with explosive players. We don’t want to have a long strenuous nagging issues,” McDaniel explained when asked about Achane’s injury on Monday. “[Resting Achane] is more preventative in nature. All trainers across the league have horror stories with calves if you’re too aggressive.”
Achane, who has rushed for 1,707 yards and scored 14 rushing touchdowns and nine receiving touchdowns in the 28 games he has played the past two season, is expected to be one of Miami’s top offensive weapons in 2025.
Last season Achane, a 2023 third-round pick, combined for 1,399 rushing and receiving yards and scored a team-leading 12 touchdowns.
The Dolphins have joint practices against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the team’s third preseason game — the first and only at Hard Rock Stadium — this Saturday at 7 p.m., which Miami will likely use as a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
The Dolphins’ first regular-season game is Sept. 7 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, which would give Achane three weeks to have his calf issue subside.
With Achane sidelined Miami will likely lean on Jaylen Wright, who has struggled this exhibition season, averaging 1.5 yards per attempt on 13 carries, and rookie Ollie Gordon II to handle the tailback workload in the final preseason game and during the practices that lead up to the regular-season kickoff.
Wright, a 2024 fourth-round pick, will likely be given every opportunity to prove he’s deserving of the second tailback role during the next two weeks. Gordon, a 2025 fifth-round pick, has gained 83 rushing yards and scored one touchdown on 18 carries. He has also caught three passes for 48 yards.
Behind those two there’s Mike Boone, and Aaron Shampkin, two veterans who were signed last week after Alexander Mattison sustained a season-ending neck injury.
