The Miami Dolphins will have De’Von Achane back on the field in Week 13.
With the team getting healthier at the running back position, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphatically told reporters on Friday that the team’s electric rookie RB will suit up this week.
De’Von Achane Set To Return Against the Washington Commanders
McDaniel usually provides thoughtful, careful, albeit lengthy, answers to questions during media sessions. Always thoroughly engaged, he listens to reporters’ questions and thinks before speaking. But after getting several injury-related inquiries about Miami’s other key players, he received one about rookie running back De’Von Achane.
And his answer was anything but lengthy.
McDaniel took a look around the room at the gathered press pool, smiled slightly, leaned into the microphone, and confidently pronounced: “You know what … he’s playing.”
“Who did it fastest?” McDaniel then asked the room, referring to the flurry of tweets reporters posted regarding Achane’s status for Sunday.
About the rest of the team’s injured players, including stud safety Jevon Holland, offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Kendall Lamm, and guard Rob Hunt, McDaniel was far more guarded, indicating with even greater certainty that Achane will be all-systems-go come game time.
Achane, who’s been battling shoulder and knee issues this season, will be making his return following his absence from last week’s victory over the New York Jets. Achane re-injured his knee just a few plays into the team’s Week 11 win over the Las Vegas Raiders after missing four games on injured reserve with an MCL sprain earlier in the season.
Prior to his initial knee injury, Achane looked like one of the most impressive rookie running backs in recent memory. In a three-week stretch, he gashed the respective defenses of the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants to the tune of 465 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 37 carries. He also added another 63 yards and two more scores on eight receptions through the air.
Now back and presumably full speed, Achane will look to stay healthy and pair with Miami’s veteran rusher, Raheem Mostert, to sport one of the most dangerous RB duos in the NFL. Mostert is likewise having a career season, as the 31-year-old has piled up 785 rushing yards in 11 games at a healthy 5.2 yards per carry clip and is leading the league in rushing touchdowns (13).
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With Mostert also battling nagging injury concerns, including issues with both an ankle and knee, look for Achane to be involved out of the gate against Washington.
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