The Miami Dolphins are holding out hope that rookie running back De’Von Achane will be available to play Friday but are preparing as if he will not.
Achane (knee) was officially listed as questionable for the Dolphins’ Black Friday game against the New York Jets, but a related roster move suggests they are hedging their bets.
UPDATE (Nov. 24): NFL Media reported Friday that Achane is not expected to play.
Miami Dolphins-New York Jets Injury Report
On Thursday, the Dolphins elevated Darrynton Evans from the practice squad, a clear signal that Evans will be active against New York.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
Unless the Dolphins plan to activate four running backs, that suggests either Achane or Jeff Wilson will be inactive. Wilson seems like a far surer bet to play. Given how thin they were last week when Achane got hurt again, they surely do not want to be in that situation for a second straight game.
Achane, who lasted just three snaps before aggravating a knee injury that kept him out a month, was one of eight Dolphins players who are questionable to play Friday.
Evans, a third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2020 who spent training camp with the Dolphins, has NFL snaps under his belt this year. He gained 105 yards on 30 carries in five games for the Bears, but was out of work when Chicago cut him last week.
The Dolphins brought him back to their practice squad Tuesday and then bumped him up to the active roster two days later. Evans in his career has one touchdown and a 3.8 yards-per-carry average.
The offensive line made up a sizable chunk of the rest. Four potential starters are questionable, and a fifth — Rob Jones — is doubtful. But reading between the lines, expect Jones to be the only one in serious risk of being inactive.
If there were multiple Dolphins linemen at risk of missing the game, the Dolphins would have made additional roster moves Thursday.
Dolphins
Out
- None
Doubtful
- OL Rob Jones (knee)
Questionable
- TE Durham Smythe (ankle)
- RB De’Von Achane (knee)
- OT Terron Armstead (knee)
- WR Chase Claypool (knee)
- G Lester Cotton (hip)
- OL Rob Hunt (hamstring)
- FB Alec Ingold (foot/ankle)
- OL Austin Jackson (oblique)
No Injury Designation
- WR Tyreek Hill (hand)
- WR Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee)
- WR Braxton Berrios (hamstring)
Jets
Out
- None
Doubtful
- DB Michael Carter II (hamstring)
Questionable
- OL Mekhi Becton (ankle/knee)
- OL Duane Brown (hip)
- LB Sam Eguavoen (hip)
- OL Billy Turner (finger)
- TE Kenny Yeboah (hamstring)
No Injury Designation
- DB Tony Adams (finger)
- DL John Franklin-Myers (knee)
- LB Jermaine Johnson (hip)
- TE Jeremy Ruckert (shoulder)
- LB Chazz Surratt (ankle)
- LB Quincy Williams (knee)
- WR Garrett Wilson (elbow)
Fantasy Impact of De’Von Achane’s Week 12 Status
Analysis by Ben Rolfe
The news that Achane is questionable, coupled with the elevation of Evans, is a major concern for fantasy managers of the rookie RB. That pair of decisions would suggest the Dolphins are not confident that Achane will play this week. Therefore, fantasy managers should make plans to have someone else start in case he is inactive tomorrow.
The other element here is that Achane is clearly not 100 percent with his knee issue. Even if he is active, there is no guarantee how much he will play against the Jets. This is one of those weeks where the safe play is to plan to go elsewhere unless we hear that Achane is 100 percent tomorrow. The potential reward for the young RB is high, but there is a tremendous risk to starting him if he ends up being active this week.
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