The Miami Dolphins lost rookie phenom De’Von Achane to a knee injury for at least the next four weeks, as the speedster was placed on injured reserve this week. But help is on the way — veteran RB Jeff Wilson Jr. is due back from injured reserve in the immediate future.
Wilson has a chance to play as soon as this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. But if he plays, Wilson will be on a snap count, the head coach told reporters on Friday.
Editor’s Note: Jeff Wilson is officially out for Sunday’s game.
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Jeff Wilson Jr. To See Limited Reps If Active on Sunday
On Wilson’s odds of being activated to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s contest, McDaniel told reporters, “There’s one available roster spot and a lot of things going on with the entire roster, so we’re going to let Friday play out. If he went that direction [Wilson], he would be ready to go.”
Wilson will likely see no more than 25 snaps, if any, as he works his way back into the rotation. Wilson was listed as doubtful on the final injury report.
Regardless of Wilson’s health, Raheem Mostert was set to be Miami’s starting running back this week and beyond. The 31-year-old Mostert is having one of the best seasons of his unique career and has already amassed 314 rushing yards on 58 carries for a blistering 5.4 yards per attempt. He’s also cashed in a league-leading seven scores on the ground.
Mostert tacked on 15 receptions for 128 yards and an additional touchdown over the past five weeks.
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But with Achane heading to IR, getting Wilson back in the fold is a huge boon for Miami’s running back depth chart. Salvon Ahmed has been productive in spurts, but he’s also battled injuries this season and was a healthy scratch last week following Achane’s breakout.
Also on the roster is 2023 undrafted free agent signee Chris Brooks, who has mostly contributed on special teams outside of his nine-carry, 66-yard performance in the waning moments of Miami’s 70-20 rout over the Denver Broncos.
Miami acquired Wilson from the San Francisco 49ers at the trade deadline last season, and he provided a boost to what was a middling Miami ground attack in 2022.
Across 16 games and seven starts last year, Wilson racked up 860 yards and five touchdowns at a healthy 4.9 yards per carry clip for the Dolphins and 49ers. He added 22 receptions for 185 yards and another score through the air.
Fantasy Football Impact of Wilson’s Return
Fantasy managers who have been stashing Wilson all season — or those who just scooped him up off of waivers recently — are getting close to having him return to the field. However, as soon as he does return, it’s going to be important to temper expectations.
With Achane sidelined, the Dolphins will need to involve Wilson in the offense to some extent, but Mostert should be able to carry the load in this matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
It’s best to wait a week before starting Wilson due to the expectation that he’ll be on a pitch count. We may be ready to plug him into our lineups as early as Week 7, but for the time being, he belongs on benches across fantasy football leagues.
— Kyle Yates, PFN Fantasy Football Content Director