Dolphins place RB De’Von Achane on IR, designate Jeff Wilson Jr. to return to practice
The Dolphins placed rookie running back De’Von Achane on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday, sidelining him for the next four games.
Achane sustained a knee injury late in Miami’s Week 5 win against the New York Giants. He remained in the game, a 31-16 Dolphins victory, but underwent tests on Monday for the ailment.
McDaniel said the decision to place Achane on IR was “not black and white” but “it was something [general manager] Chris [Grier] and I knew was the best thing for the team.” McDaniel said he expects Achane to return at some point this season.
McDaniel was asked multiple times whether Achane would get surgery but did not say.
Achane wrote on Instagram on Tuesday night that he would “be back better [than] ever.”
The No. 84 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Achane has been a standout through the first month of the season. His 460 rushing yards leads the Dolphins and ranks second in the NFL. Achane also leads the league in yards per carry (12.1).
Achane will miss Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers, as well as matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. Miami has a bye in Week 10 and Achane will be eligible to return in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Dolphins still have Raheem Mostert, who ranks second on the team with 314 rushing yards, on the active roster, as well as Salvon Ahmed and rookie Chris Brooks. The team also signed former Indianapolis Colts running back Jake Funk to the practice squad on Tuesday.
“That’s why we have a large group of very good running backs because that’s kind of the nature of the position,” McDaniel said.
Achane is the sixth Dolphin to land on short-term IR this season. NFL rules allow teams to bring back eight players from IR and the non-football injury list in a season. Wide receiver Erik Ezukanma is on the NFI list because of a neck injury. Last week, the Dolphins designated offensive lineman Robert Jones to return to practice.
As the Dolphins lost one running back to injury on Wednesday, they welcomed another back. Miami designated Jeff Wilson Jr. to return to practice, opening the 21-day window for him to be placed on the 53-man roster. Wilson was a limited practice in Wednesday’s session.
Wilson missed the first five games of the regular season because of injuries to his ribs and finger. The Dolphins made a trade deadline deal for Wilson last year, sending the San Francisco 49ers a 2023 fifth-round pick. In eight games, Wilson ran for 392 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
“[It’s] tough seeing any of our guys go down,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “He’s done a tremendous job, De’Von. I know he will do all he can to get better. We are extremely excited to have Jeff back. He looked really good at practice.”
The Dolphins lead the NFL in rushing yards (929) and yards per carry (6.9).
“The run game is 11 different players,” McDaniel said. “I know [Achane] has done an outstanding job and I’ve been very pleased with how far he’s come as a professional.”
He added: “I never really look at the run game in terms of just one player. He’s been making a ton of plays and he’s been obviously doing an outstanding job with every single one of his opportunities. ... We’re in a fortunate situation in that regard that I think we have multiple players at the running back position that can start in this league and can do very well within their job parameters here with the Dolphins.”
This story was originally published October 11, 2023 at 11:47 AM.
