Dolphins evaluating Achane knee ailment. And more from McDaniel’s Monday news conference
The Dolphins are evaluating a knee injury sustained by rookie running back sensation De’Von Achane, and coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that a diagnosis is not yet known.
“We’re evaluating it,” McDaniel said.
Asked if Achane was undergoing an MRI on Monday, McDaniel said there are “various things he’s undergoing.”
Asked if he can say for sure that Achane’s knee issue isn’t season ending, McDaniel said he generally doesn’t like to speculate on timetables until a full evaluation is completed.
McDaniel said the injury was sustained during Sunday’s win against the Giants, when Achane ran 11 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Achane returned to the game after the injury and didn’t complain about it to reporters afterward.
Achane stood at his locker room stall after the game, was in a good mood and did not appear in visible discomfort, according to those who interviewed him.
“He thought he might have something [after the game], but he is such a tough kid it was kind of tough to read,” McDaniel said.
Achane is averaging a league-high 12.1 per carry on 38 carries.
Meanwhile, McDaniel said the Dolphins have not decided whether running back Jeff Wilson Jr. -- who has missed five games on injured reserve with rib and finger injuries -- is ready to resume practicing.
Once he begins practicing, it would begin a 21-day clock. After that 21-day period, he must be placed on the 53-man roster or be ruled out for the season.
Cornerback Nik Needham and guard Robert Jones are on day six of their 21 day clocks. McDaniel said he feels “good” about both of their progress. “We’re expecting to continue to push the envelope Wednesday,” McDaniel said of how much they practice.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, on injured reserve with a knee injury, is “doing a great job,” McDaniel said. “He’s a special breed and is on the positive side of a return for sure.”
The team hasn’t publicly said when he will return, but he reportedly is expected back in November or December.
Guard Isaiah Wynn, who missed one play with a neck injury Sunday but returned to the game, “should be good” for Sunday’s game against Carolina (1 p.m., CBS), McDaniel said, before adding: “we will have more information in the next 24 hours.”
▪ Cedrick Wilson Jr., for the first time this season, had the third-most snaps among receivers with 30.
“We were planning on having him have more opportunities,” McDaniel said. “He’s been playing well very in practice. In the game, he made a ton of plays. In the pass game, even more in the run game. We asked him to do some heavy lifting with attack blocks on the perimeter. He executed some tough blocks and tough downs that really opened some stuff up in the run. His impact was felt by his teammates.”
▪ McDaniel said the defense - which played well against the Giants - “had the best week of practice we had all year. Quarterback hits were the most since... a while ago. That’s a testament to team defense for sure. Coverage isn’t tied for the pass rush. When tied together you force teams to have to execute at the highest level or make them pay by being a little too aggressive.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2023 at 3:33 PM.
