Miami Dolphins place running back De’Von Achane on injured reserve
It’s uncertain exactly when Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was injured, and it’s uncertain when he’ll be back in action. But one point of clarity did come Wednesday when the team placed him on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four games.
Coach Mike McDaniel did not elaborate on whether Achane’s injury will require surgery. He also did not classify the exact nature of the injury, such as whether it’s a sprain. But McDaniel did say he does expect Achane back this season.
Regarding the decision to take Achane off the active roster, McDaniel said, “It wasn’t like a black-and-white decision where it was obvious.”
Achane’s deactivation comes as the team opened the 21-day window for running back Jeff Wilson to possibly return off injured reserve.
Achane, a rookie, is the second-leading rusher in the NFL with 460 yards. He also has scored seven touchdowns.
Achane will miss Sunday’s game against the winless Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium. Then the schedule gets significantly tougher. The next three games will be at Philadelphia, vs. New England and at Kansas City (in Germany).
The Dolphins have a bye following the Chiefs game, so it’s possible Achane’s return could come on Nov. 19 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
There never was a point in the Giants game when Achane required assistance to get off the field, nor was there a point when he struggled to come off under his own power. He also was upbeat in the locker room afterward, never mentioning anything pained him and not wearing an ice pack on either knee.
It’s possible Achane was injured on his final carry against the Giants, a 1-yard gain early in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams and linebacker Jihad Ward combined to tackle Achane. As Achane went down, Williams fell on his right leg, putting pressure on the knee. But Achane did not grasp the knee while momentarily on the ground.
Achane also returned to the game, essentially as a decoy, on an 8-yard run by Raheem Mostert one play before the final snap of a 31-16 victory.
“It goes to show what type of tough guy we’re dealing with,” McDaniel said.
Achane finished the game with 11 carries for 151 yards including a 76-yard touchdown, averaging 13.7 yards per carry.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.
Sunday’s game
Panthers (0-5) at Dolphins (4-1)
1 p.m., CBS; NFL+, Paramount+ and YouTube by subscription
