Dolphins RB De’Von Achane says his ribs aren’t ‘too bad,’ plans to play vs. Steelers
Miami Dolphins fans let out a collective gasp when De’Von Achane went down with a rib injury.
The star running back didn’t return to the Dolphins’ 34-10 win against the New York Jets after he left in the second quarter, leading to even more speculation about his status for Monday night’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Have no fear: Achane appears to be ready to go for the prime-time showdown.
“They’re good,” Achane said of his ribs on Thursday. The 24-year-old later added that he could've come back into the Jets game if the score wasn’t in Miami’s favor, and he’ll be available come Monday. “It ain’t too bad. It’s better than when it first happened.”
This comes roughly a couple of hours after offensive coordinator Frank Smith essentially confirmed Achane’s game status.
“ I don’t see anything that potentially is going to hold him back,” Smith said, adding that Achane “looked great” at practice.
“He had a very good run and a good cut, I was like, ‘OK,’” Smith continued.
Achane has practiced all week with a red, “no-contact” jersey to avoid any unnecessary aggravation of his ribs. While the most logical game-day addition will be a flak jacket, something that he has donned all week, the three-year veteran has yet to decide what he will wear come Monday.
“Yeah just for precaution,” Achane said, explaining that he’s “trying a lot of things.” “It’s not like I get hit at practice so my next time getting hit will be on Monday.”
Achane’s presence will undoubtedly be a boon for the Dolphins’ offense. The former Texas A&M standout has been exceptional in 2025, ranking fourth in rushing yards, first in yards per attempt and sixth in yards from scrimmage. In a private conversation with the Miami Herald prior to the bye week, Achane told the Miami Herald that he does feel like one of the best running backs in the league.
“If I can get 100 yards in six games, I don’t know what to tell you,” Achane said when asked whether he’s a top-five running back prior to him eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark against the New Orleans Saints. “And I don’t even be playing the position.”
Even better: the Steelers have been rather lackluster when it comes to run defense, as no team has given up more first downs on the ground. Pittsburgh also ranks 21st in rushing yards allowed as well as 25th in opponent run attempts.
Combine that with Miami’s new, run-focused identity as well as the frigid cold that Pittsburgh has temperatures in, the Dolphins should be well-suited for Monday’s game.
“Just to be able to have that type of success on the ground, that’s December football and that’s how you win,” coach Mike McDaniel said Sunday after the win over the Jets. “So, being able to execute when they know it’s coming is what you’re trying to work towards the whole season.”
Added Achane: “It helps a lot. We run the football well, and it’s going to be cold. They know we’re going to run the football. We know we’re going to run the football. We just got to beat the man next to you.”
As far as Achane’s pain tolerance goes, he appears to be ok in that regard. The increase in carry volume means virtually nothing to him; the ribs should be no different.
“I know I’ve been getting a lot of carries, but I don’t take a lot of big hits,” Achane said, later adding “I’m gone to be straight.”
