In their 45-15 drubbing of the Washington Commanders, the Miami Dolphins‘ most-used running back wasn’t the NFL’s leader in touchdowns (Raheem Mostert).
It wasn’t the hard-nosed veteran who averages 4.4 yards per carry (Jeff Wilson).
Rather, it was the rookie who had just one carry between Oct. 9 and Dec. 2: De’Von Achane.
De’Von Achane Is Back — and That’s Great News for the Miami Dolphins
Achane was back after missing his fifth game in six weeks with a pesky knee injury, and for the first time in months, he looked a bit like the player who took the world by storm earlier in the season.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
The lopsided nature of Sunday’s game allowed Achane to get a ton of low-leverage work, the perfect tuneup opportunity he needed ahead of the three-game gauntlet that looms to finish the regular season.
On Sunday, Achane led Dolphins running backs in snaps (37 of 61), carries (17), rushing yards (73), yards per carry (4.3), and total offense (103 yards on 20 touches).
“It’s always good when you’re on the field,” he said after the game. “Just being on the field and making plays and being productive. So, I’m just glad that I can come back and be 100% and help this team win.”
Achane was particularly pleased with how he performed on the Dolphins’ final drive, a 13-play, 59-yard touchdown march that bled nearly eight minutes off the clock.
Achane, on that possession, carried the ball eight times for 45 yards, including the two-yard touchdown rumble on the Dolphins’ final offensive snap.
De’Von Achane is going to end Week 13 with his 4th Top 5 RB Weekly Finish.
He nearing historically elite territory.
Jonathan Taylor had 2 as a Rookie.
Breece Hall has had 5 in his entire career.
CMC had 1
Alvin Kamara had 6
Barkley had 8pic.twitter.com/nUonAmGrkH
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) December 4, 2023
“The fact that I wasn’t tired, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m back. Like I’m not hurt. I’m 100%,’” Achane said.
That’s great news for the Dolphins — and bad news for the teams that remain on their schedule.
With Achane back to full strength, expect to see him slide into the team’s RB2 spot, helping spell Mostert out of the backfield and in the receiving game.
Mostert has been on the injury report every week since Week 8, and while he hasn’t missed any action yet, the Dolphins are playing a dangerous game, given his injury history and workload. The 31-year-old ranks 10th league-wide in carries (162 — which is just 19 shy of his career-high). Expect his usage to taper off as Achane’s increases.
The Dolphins now have three productive running backs they trust. Mike McDaniel plans to use them all.
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