Dolphins RB De’Von Achane a surprise inactive vs. Chargers. And answers at starting spots
Miami Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane is inactive for the team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Achane, the team’s third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, missed practice time toward the end of training camp after injuring his shoulder in the second preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 19. However, he was a full participant in the practices leading up to Week 1 and was not given a game status.
With Achane out, Salvon Ahmed and undrafted rookie Chris Brooks are expected to log snaps behind veteran Raheem Mostert. On Aug. 31, the Dolphins placed fellow back Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve because of injuries to his midsection and finger. The designation will sideline Wilson for at least the first four games of the season.
In addition to Achane, the following Dolphins are inactive: left tackle Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee), defensive back Elijah Campbell (knee), rookie tight end Julian Hill (ankle), quarterback Skylar Thompson and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Thompson has been designated as the emergency quarterback and, per the NFL’s new rule, can enter the game if both starter Tua Tagovailoa and backup Mike White are sidelined because of injury.
The Dolphins opted to make wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, who only appeared in one game as a rookie, active over Wilson, who played sparingly in 2022 and recently re-worked his contract.
Cornerback Justin Bethel is active despite being listed as questionable to play because of a knee injury.
Starting left guard and safety unveiled
The Dolphins went into Week 1 with some mystery at a few remaining starting spots, particularly left guard and safety.
When the offense came onto the field for its opening possession, it was Isaiah Wynn starting at left guard over Liam Eichenberg.
Throughout the week leading up to the season opener, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel declined to comment on who would start at left guard. But ultimately, Wynn, a six-year veteran, beat out Eichenberg, a third-year player and 2021 second-round pick of the Dolphins.
Eichenberg, who started only 10 games in 2022 because of injuries, entered training camp as the favorite to start at left guard. But he struggled at times and missed the final two preseason games because of a rib injury he sustained in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Meanwhile, veteran safety DeShon Elliott got the start at safety after a competition throughout training camp to decide who would play alongside third-year player Jevon Holland.
And at cornerback, veteran Eli Apple played in the Dolphins’ nickel packages with fellow corners Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou. Apple, who was signed days after top offseason addition Jalen Ramsey was injured during the second training camp practice, beat out rookie corner Cam Smith, the Dolphins’ top pick in the 2023 Draft.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said in the week leading up to the first game of the season that he would rotate multiple players at the unresolved corner and safety spots.
However, it didn’t take shape that way in the first half, as Elliott and Apple played exclusively.
This story may be updated.
This story was originally published September 10, 2023 at 11:36 AM.
