De'Von

Achane

Achane could have easily kept pushing through the “injury” if the Dolphins had “anything to play for,” but they have determined they do not with their playoff hopes long gone and fill-in rookie Quinn Ewers under center. Remarkably durable considering his size and workload — Achane took the rock 305 times this season — Achane will head into the final year of his rookie deal having missed one game in two years, today’s contest. The 24-year-old bounced back in the efficiency department in a big way this year despite the ‘Fins’ quarterback woes. Achane’s 5.7 yards per carry led the league heading into Week 18. Particularly if coach Mike McDaniel returns for 2026, Achane will remain a top-five fantasy back with room to ascend.

This really isn’t much of a surprise. Achane was listed as doubtful after missing all three practices this week. The Dolphins are out of the playoff hunt, so there’s no reason to play Achane through the shoulder issue. Jaylen Wright should handle the bulk of the backfield touches for Miami this week, putting him on the RB2/3 border for Week 18.

He didn’t practice all week and the Dolphins have nothing to play for. Achane would give way to Jaylen Wright as Miami’s lead back in Week 18 when and if his ruleout becomes official. Wright’s a worthwhile RB2/RB3 in Week 18 against a Patriots defense missing most of its best run defenders.

Achane hasn’t practiced all week. With the Dolphins already eliminated from playoff contention, it seems highly unlikely that the 24-year-old running back will try to tough it out against the Patriots in Week 18. We expect him to be ruled out later today and Jaylen Wright would be the expected starter against New England.

Achane has now missed this week’s first two practices. The diminutive running back often toughs it out on game day, though the Dolphins have been eliminated from playoff contention. Tomorrow’s practice participation should clarify his status. Dolphins No. 2 RB Jaylen Wright would start in his stead if he cannot play.

Achane turned 21 touches into 112 yards, still making up the lion’s share of the Dolphins offense. The spike weeks have not come for Achane with the Dolphins getting limited scoring opportunities amidst the struggles at quarterback and transition to Quinn Ewers. Still, Achane’s heavy usage as a runner and pass-catcher has kept him in the RB1 range. His first carry did not come until the second quarter, but the Dolphins ultimately ran the ball 30 times, 18 going to Achane. He finishes the fantasy season as an RB1 heading into Week 18 against the Patriots.

Not the spiked week fantasy managers were hoping for against one of the league’s worst defenses, but also not a matchup-killer. Achane’s score was a 48-yarder in the first quarter where he took a toss and found the edge perfectly set. He, predictably, was then off to the races. We shudder to think what his day would have been like without the big play, but big plays are what Achane does. He has a decent-enough setup for Week 17 against the Bucs, though rookie QB Quinn Ewers’ play has much further that it could fall.

Neither is Ollie Gordon (ankle) — Achane figures to be a top-end RB1 in what looks a smash spot against an abysmal Bengals defense ... assuming the Bengals can’t just turn first-time starter Quinn Ewers into a total pumpkin. Still, even if with that threat, it’s not like Tua Tagovailoa was playing well this year. Achane can be started with confidence against the Bengals.

Great news. Achane practiced fully yesterday as well. He seemingly made it through Week 15 without suffering any setbacks. The Dolphins’ featured running back is ready to rock as an elite RB1 for his matchup against the Bengals’ fantasy-friendly defense.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel meant it when he said everything was on the table after Miami’s humiliating Monday night loss to the Steelers. Tua Tagovailoa will take a seat in Week 16 — and perhaps beyond — after his dismal play throughout 2025. Tagovailoa ranks 27th out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks in adjusted yards per attempt, 14th in drop back success rate, and 26th in EPA per drop back through Week 15. He has just three TD passes over his past four games in the run-heavy Miami offense. Ewers in the preseason completed 23 of 43 attempts for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked on nearly half of his pressures. Ewers should be considered a fringe superflex option for Week 16 against a miserable Bengals defense allowing two passing scores per game.