De'Von Achane Expected to Return from Calf Injury for Week 1, Says Dolphins GM

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has been nursing a calf injury this month, but a positive update emerged Wednesday regarding his health.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said that while he plans to add some running backs to the practice squad, "all indications to us is Achane will be ready Week 1."

ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques reported last week that Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Achane would likely not practice all week, and that the decision to sit him was "preventative in nature."

Achane still hadn't returned to practice as of Tuesday, but Grier's comment suggests his absence may not last much longer.

In 2023, Achane missed six games due to injury as a rookie third-round pick, but he thrived when healthy, rushing for 800 yards on a 7.8 yards-per-carry average while scoring 11 total touchdowns.

Last season, Achane took over for Raheem Mostert as the Dolphins' lead back, and he stayed healthy for the entire season, appearing in all 17 games and starting 16 of them.

Achane's yards per carry dipped to 4.5, but he still managed to rush for 900 yards and six scores, while also excelling as a pass-catcher to the tune of 78 receptions for 592 yards and an additional six touchdowns.

The Dolphins parted ways with Mostert this offseason, leaving Achane as the unquestioned RB1 ahead of 2024 fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright and rookie sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon II.

Lately, Gordon has essentially been the Dolphins' only healthy running back with Achane nursing a calf injury and Wright dealing with a leg injury.

On Monday, McDaniel told reporters that Wright is "week-to-week" and expected to miss the start of the regular season, leaving Achane and Gordon as the only running backs on the active roster with a chance to play Week 1.

Miami's lack of urgency in terms of adding another running back to the roster thus far seems to support Grier's claim that Achane is expected to be good to go at the start of the regular season.

After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2021, the pressure is on in Miami, as McDaniel may be coaching for his job.

Achane figures to be a huge part of the Dolphins' offensive success in 2025, especially after the receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle took a significant step backward last season in terms of their production.

Miami will go on the road to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 on Sept. 7, and if Achane does indeed suit up, he could be in line for a big game against a Colts defense that ranked 24th against the run last season.