Achane returns. And other injury updates, practice squad move, ‘Hard Knocks’ debut
As the Dolphins return from their bye week, a key member of the offense is back at practice.
Rookie running back De’Von Achane, who has missed the last four games on injured reserve because of a knee injury, has been designated to return.
Achane injured his knee late in the team’s Week 5 win against the New York Giants. Coach Mike McDaniel said Achane’s injury was more of a sprain than a tear and something he could have managed with a brace. However, the team felt it was best for him to rest and let his knee get structurally sound. Achane, the team’s third-round pick in the 2023 Draft, could return for the team’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
“We probably, a little, we erred on the side of caution with that,” McDaniel said. “But everything seems to be ready to go for today’s practice and then you do what you do with every other player — I’m planning to have him for the rest of the season or no games. It’s basically how my life works, and by extension, the rest of the offensive staff. We’ll see how he does today, but I know he’s eager to play football, and not observe it like he has been.”
At the time of his injury, Achane’s 460 rushing yards ranked second in the NFL, and he led the league with 12.1 yards per carry.
“We’ve got a lot of playmakers on the team,” wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said. “Just adding a guy of that caliber is always good. He’s healthy, came back and he’s going to [be] better than ever.”
As for injured offensive linemen Robert Jones and Robert Hunt, McDaniel said both are “week-to-week.”
Hunt injured his hamstring against the New England Patriots in Week 8 and did not play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week. 9. Jones injured his knee against Kansas City and was carted to the locker room.
Neither player was participating in practice Monday but Hunt was seen briefly working on the side.
“I want to see how they respond,” McDaniel said. “Not quite in the day-to-day category as of yet. We’re going to see how they respond today with practice. They’ve had a good bye week of rehabilitation.”
McDaniel said Kendall Lamm, who has filled at left tackle, will practice at guard but a move inside is not imminent.
In addition to Hunt and Jones, five other Dolphins weren’t seen at practice: running back Raheem Mostert, fullback Alec Ingold, tight end Durham Smythe and wide receivers Braxton Berrios and Chase Claypool. The first injury report of the week will be released Wednesday.
Practice squad move
The Dolphins signed wide receiver Anthony Schwartz to the practice squad. A former third-round pick of the Browns in 2021, Schwartz was released by Cleveland in September. Miami cut Raleigh Webb in a corresponding move to make room.
A Pembroke Pines native and Plantation American Heritage alumnus, Schwartz has caught 14 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown in 25 games. He also has kick return experience.
Schwartz, 23, is the latest speedster to be added to the Dolphins roster. Schwartz held the world under-18 record in the 100 meters between 2017 and 2022.
Hard Knocks debut
“Hard Knocks’” in-season look at the Miami Dolphins will debut on Nov. 21 at 9 p.m. on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
New episodes will debut Tuesdays through Jan. 9, and then subsequent Tuesdays for the duration of a potential Dolphins postseason run.
This story was originally published November 13, 2023 at 11:04 AM.
