MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — If the Miami Dolphins had a game this weekend, De’Von Achane (concussion) almost certainly would not play in it.
But the Dolphins (not to mention fantasy football managers) caught a break with the schedule. Miami is on a bye this week, and by the time they return to action on Oct. 20, Achane conceivably will have cleared the concussion protocol.
Will Miami Dolphins RB De’Von Achane Miss Time?
Achane suffered the traumatic brain injury late in the first quarter of Sunday’s Dolphins win over the New England Patriots.
After a big collision on the sideline, Achane’s head slammed against the turf. He stayed down for a while before getting up and walking very slowly to the locker room. The Dolphins quickly ruled him out with a concussion.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed to reporters Monday that Achane is in the protocol, “but he’s in high spirits today.”
Reading between the lines, it’s certainly a good thing that Achane was up and about and interacting with his teammates less than 24 hours after getting concussed. It would suggest that he did not suffer a severe concussion.
Concussion symptoms typically resolve in a week or two, which would certainly leave open the possibility that Achane does not miss a game. Miami’s next game is at the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.
Prior to getting hurt, Achane had yet to find the same form that he had in 2023, when he set the NFL record (minimum 100 carries) by averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
This year, that average is just 3.3, although he had gotten off to a strong start in the Patriots game before getting injured.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, they’re very deep at running back, particularly with Raheem Mostert back from a chest injury that kept him out of the previous three games.
Against the Patriots, Mostert had 80 yards on 19 attempts.
The Jaylen Wright breakout game has happened.
Also, shoutout Alec Ingold for his dominant performance. #dolphins pic.twitter.com/o94h82AnOR
— Ryder McConville (@RyderM25) October 7, 2024
In Achane’s absence, rookie Jaylen Wright set a career high with 86 yards on 13 carries on Sunday.
“Blocking for Raheem, Achane, young dawg ‘J-Wright’ is too like, they’re literally one — any play, they can go to the house,” Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead said Monday.
“So you want to be the one that springs them for that long gain. I feel like we get one of those off my block and it goes yard, I take that as my touchdown so we love to see that.”
