The NFL debut of Miami Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane will apparently have to wait another week.
Despite practicing fully all week — and the Dolphins not listing him as doubtful or even questionable on their Friday injury report — Achane is expected to be inactive in Miami’s season-opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network first reported.
Just mentioned on @NFLGameDay: #Dolphins rookie RB De’Von Achane is expected to be inactive today against the #Chargers.
The third-round pick from Texas A&M missed time in camp with a shoulder injury and has some rust. Raheem Mostert and Salvon Ahmed will carry the load.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 10, 2023
The report pointed to rust as a reason for the Dolphins’ decision to sit Achane. He missed time in August after suffering a shoulder injury in the team’s second preseason game.
However, other factors seem to be at play.
How De’Von Achane’s Game Status Impacts Miami Dolphins
Namely: The three backs who will be active Sunday — Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed, and undrafted rookie Chris Brooks — outplayed him this summer.
Jeff Wilson Jr., the Dolphins’ RB2 entering training camp, is out for at least four games with torso and finger injuries.
MORE: With Terron Armstead Out, Meet the Miami Dolphins Tackle Tasked With Shutting Down Bosa, Mack
So the expectation even before the Achane news was that Mostert would be the Dolphins’ featured back against the Chargers, and that becomes all the more likely with the third-round pick out.
Beyond that, it’s unclear how the team plans to use Ahmed and Brooks. Both had excellent training camps and exhibition seasons.
Ahmed led all Dolphins in rushing yards (142) and yards per carry (8.9) in the preseason. Brooks was no slouch either, ranking first among Dolphins running backs in carries (22) and rushing touchdowns (two), second in yards (104), and third in yards per carry.
“I feel like not getting drafted, I wouldn’t really look at is as a low,” Brooks, a bruiser out of BYU, said the day after he learned he had made the team’s 53-man roster. “I would say it’s an opportunity. It’s an opportunity that not many guys have. I can either take advantage of the opportunity or I can just let it go to waste. And I chose to take advantage.”