Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was ruled out of the team’s clash with the New England Patriots on Sunday after entering concussion protocol.
Achane was sluggish to get up after he was tackled by Patriots defender Jaylinn Hawkins following a 12-yard carry in the first quarter. He was helped off the field, finally headed back to Miami’s locker room.
The 22-year-old racked up 18 run yards on three attempts before exiting the contest.
Achane featured in all four of Miami’s games to open the season after suiting up in just 11 bouts as a rookie in 2023 due to a knee ailment. He was listed as questionable heading into Week 2 with an ankle problem, yet he was still able to play.
The former third-round pick has utilised his speed to burn opposition teams on the ground and in the air, racking up 997 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns last season. Achane was off to another good start in 2024, amassing 352 all-purpose yards entering Sunday’s action.
The Dolphins’ offense was already shorthanded before his injury, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been out since Week 2 after suffering his third diagnosed concussion since the start of the 2022 season.
Miami’s offensive approach has struggled without Tagovailoa, scoring just 15 total points in consecutive losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. Head coach Mike McDaniel’s club will now need to survive without Achane until he’s able to exit concussion protocol as well.
The Dolphins are likely to rely on veteran Raheem Mostert and youngster Jaylen Wright to carry their rushing assault against New England. The Patriots have allowed just 99.3 rush yards per game through four weeks, the ninth-best mark in the NFL.
