Fantasy football owners are closely monitoring the running back situation of the Miami Dolphins. If they aren’t, then they are also probably drafting from a magazine that was printed in June at best.
The big question mark is starter De’Von Achane. He’s been dealing with a calf injury and, on Sunday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that he wasn’t suffering any setbacks.
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“Mike McDaniel said De’Von Achane has had no setbacks, and he looks forward to getting him back out at practice in the weeks before the opener,” Furones posted on X.
That’s fantastic, but that could still mean that he’s out until Week 8 (I’m being hyperbolic) for all we know. Considering this was originally called a day-to-day or even week-to-week injury, it’s not known exactly when Achane will return. The goal is for him to be ready for Week 1, but they don’t want to rush a calf injury and have to start the process over again.
De’Von Achane didn’t practice Tuesday
Is Achane going to be ready for Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts? It’s possible, but the road to recovery won’t start today because Furones says that Achane didn’t practice.
“Dolphins RB De’Von Achane (calf) not seen working out at team’s Tuesday practice,” Furones posted.
Achane started 16 games last season, but was never really the bell cow. He managed just 907 yards and six touchdowns, but showed enough for the Dolphins to hand him the full-time gig this year. It’s Achane’s third year in the NFL, but his first one Raheem Mostert-less.
How is that Dolphins’ running back situation looking for fantasy
Achane should be fine, but his health is a bit iffy right now. His backup, Jaylen Wright has not been good. He’s hurt now, expected to miss the season opener and was pretty bad when healthy. Wright averaged 1.8 yards-per-carry on nine carries (way too many to have 1.8 yards per) in the Dolphins’ opening preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The guy to watch closely is rookie Ollie Gordon. The sixth-round rookie from Oklahoma State is averaging more than four yards per carry in the preseason and, oh yeah, he’s healthy. If this guy can help solve the Dolphins’ short-yardage problems, he’s going to play. Are you listening, fantasy owners?
Rotowire sums up the Dolphins running back situation well.
“Coach Mike McDaniel said Saturday, after Miami’s preseason game against Jacksonville, that the team will continue to take a cautious approach to Achane’s recovery and that the starting running back is expected to retake the practice field ahead of the regular-season opener against Indianapolis on Sunday, Sept. 7,” Rotowire writes.
“The Dolphins may intend for Achane to use this week to rest, however, and for him to instead retake the field as Week 1 practices officially begin. Ollie Gordon is currently the only healthy running back on Miami’s roster, with Jaylen Wright (leg) seemingly trending in the wrong direction for Week 1, so the team be motivated to seek additional backfield depth.”
The Dolphins will most likely be signing another back or two, since Alexander Mattison probably can’t be trusted with significant carries. But, keep an eye on Achane’s health, until he gets the green light and starts practicing he’s a big risk in the second round of your fantasy draft. Unless you did something stupid and took a quarterback in the first round, but I think that’s just common sense.