De’Von Achane is Adamant on Playing Monday vs. Steelers

De’Von Achane is Adamant on Playing Monday vs. Steelers

De’Von Achane, the Miami Dolphins’ uber-talented running back, exited Sunday’s 34-10 rout of the New York Jets with a rib injury. He went down with the injury in the first half and didn’t return, but it doesn’t appear as if it will derail his season.

MRI results from earlier this week shut down any notion that the injury to his ribs is all too serious. Achane allegedly told head coach Mike McDaniel that he could have returned to action against the Jets if need be.

With the Dolphins clinging to slim playoff odds and a pivotal Monday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers looming, Achane’s positive injury update comes at an opportune time. His return could supercharge a ground attack that’s averaged 166.2 rushing yards over the last six games, leading the NFL in that span.

The injury struck Achane in the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Following a 29-yard run, Achane was hit hard by Jets safety Isaiah Oliver and landed awkwardly on his right side. He then clutched his ribs before retreating to the locker room. However, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, he didn’t fracture anything and is instead simply dealing with bruising and inflammation.

Dolphins fans are hoping Achane can pick up right where he left off versus the Jets a few days back when he makes his return to the field. The third-year player had amassed 92 rushing yards before the halftime break and was on track for another season-defining showing before he went down.

His contributions on the ground have been invaluable to the Dolphins’ impressive season turnaround in recent weeks, but he’s ostensibly going to need to contribute a whole lot more in the coming weeks if they want to defy the odds and make the playoffs. Miami has to win out with four games remaining on its regular-season slate, and even that alone wouldn’t be enough to qualify.