De'Von Achane injury is a bigger loss for fans than the Dolphins
Miami's offense will march on without rookie running back De'Von Achane (knee) for the next four weeks. His absence is a bigger letdown for NFL fans whose attention Achane captured with his electrifying play.
Achane was selected in the third round (84th overall) of April's NFL Draft but has been among the most impactful offense rookies, worthy of being mentioned alongside first-rounders including Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
Note to NFL award voters: don't let his four-game absence take him out of the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Achane has seven touchdowns already, including a 67-yarder in Miami's 70-20 blowout win against the Broncos.
His most eye-popping run came last week against the Giants when he entered an "NFL Blitz" turbo cheat code on a 76-yard touchdown.
He reached the second- and third-fasted speeds on those touchdown runs against the Broncos (21.93 miles per hour) and Giants (21.76 miles per hour), per NFL Next Gen Stats. Achane has 38 carries for 460 yards in four games, an absurd 12.1 yards per attempt.
Data from NGS shows Achane is the most efficient running back in the league and has the most rush yards over expected.
Here's a visual aid that demonstrates how Achane is wrecking NFL defenses.
That chart shows yards gained for running backs before and after contact. While most backs average roughly 1.5 yards before contact and slightly less than three yards after contact, Achane averages over five yards before and after contact.
The only thing more unfair than an injury putting his incredible season on pause is what he's doing to NFL defenses.
The Dolphins can withstand his absence because of their immense talent on offense. Receiver Tyreek Hill posted the fasted speed by a ball-carrier this season when he reached a peak speed of 22.01 miles per hour on a 64-yard reception against the Giants. Jaylen Waddle is another exciting playmaker at wide receiver, as is running back Raheem Mostert.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (midsection, finger) may also return soon. The team announced he's back at practice after opening the season on injured reserve.
The Dolphins will be fine without Achane, and the team's hesitancy about placing him on short-term IR is a positive sign that his injury won't hinder him upon his return.
"It wasn't a black-and-white issue where it was obvious," head coach Mike McDaniel said on Wednesday.
Miami's bye is scheduled for Week 10, giving Achane another week to recover. When he returns, he'll be the same electric player he's been in his first four games.
That's the most disappointing thing about his injury. So far, it's the only thing that has slowed him down.
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