De'Von Achane has been a breakout star for the Dolphins during the 2023 NFL season, but there now appears to be some concern about a knee injury he suffered in Week 5.
Coach Mike McDaniel revealed in a news conference Monday that Achane's knee injury during Miami's 31-16 win over the Giants.
McDaniel didn't explain exactly when the injury happened. And when asked whether the injury would keep Achane out of Sunday's game, he declined to elaborate, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
"Still being evaluated," McDaniel said of Achane.
McDaniel would go on to say that he found it "trivial" to forecast a timeline for Achane's return, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. He also declined to rule out that it was a season-ending injury.
McDaniel could just be playing it coy with the information about Achane. However, it would certainly be a blow to the Dolphins offense if the dynamic rookie had to miss time because of the injury.
As it stands, Achane is averaging an absurd 12.1 yards per carry which is, far and away, the best among qualified runners this season. He has logged only 38 carries but ranks second in the league in rushing yards with 460. That's behind only Christian McCaffrey's 510.
Achane's speed — he ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine — has added another element to the Dolphins' already excellent offense. So if he needs to miss time, it would fall more to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to stretch Miami's opponents vertically and horizontally.
So too would the responsibilities that Achane has absorbed as the rookie has been integrated into the Dolphins offense.
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Dolphins RB depth chart
The Dolphins are currently four-deep at the running back position and have another running back, Jeff Wilson Jr., who could return to the team from IR at any point.
Below is how the team's running back rotation has shaken out in 2023:
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Raheem Mostert |
| 2 | De'Von Achane |
| 3 | Salvon Ahmed |
| 4 | Chris Brooks |
Mostert has been the No. 1 back for the Dolphins, so he would likely remain the top back were Achane to miss time. The two have roughly split carries since Achane's emergence in Week 3, so Mostert might see a slight uptick in production.
Ahmed would likely be next in line behind Mostert. He was actually ahead of Achane on the depth chart in Week 2 but has missed the Dolphins' last three games because of a groin injury. If healthy, he could be the one to spell Mostert.
Brooks, an undrafted free agent, may get that opportunity if Ahmed can't play. He was used on offense only at the end of Miami's blowout win over Denver in Week 3, but he looked good in racking up 66 yards on nine carries. That could make him the next Miami backfield gem.
As mentioned, Wilson Jr. is on IR but can be designated for return at any point. If he can get healthy, he will likely take over the backup role if Achane is sidelined. Wilson ran for a career-high 860 yards and five touchdowns last season while splitting time between the 49ers and Dolphins, so he has the proven production needed to become an effective backup again.
No matter how the rotation shakes out, the Dolphins are well-stocked with potential options to replace Achane. McDaniel has collected plenty of great fits for his outside zone scheme, so Miami can withstand a potential Achane absence.
