De’Von Achane, Miami’s star running back, is officially out for the entire 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL in the Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a brutal hit for the Dolphins, and it happened in less than five minutes of game action, setting a stark tone for their 24-10 defeat.
The Play That Shook Miami’s Backfield
You hate to see it, especially when it’s a non-contact injury. Achane’s season-ending torn ACL went down on a first-quarter run against the Chiefs. He planted his left leg, tried to cut right, and that leg just gave out underneath him. It was a gut punch, watching him slow his run before a Kansas City defender completed the tackle. Initially, he was deemed questionable to return, but the Dolphins quickly downgraded him to out, and now we know why. Coach Jeff Hafley didn’t mince words after the game, admitting, “To be very honest with you, it does not sound very optimistic at this moment, but I can’t give you any other details until I have them.” Those words, combined with further testing, revealed the torn knee ligament, confirming everyone’s worst fears.
Despite the severity of the injury, Achane was able to walk under his own power to the sideline after being tackled awkwardly, and later to the locker room. There was even a moment of hope, or maybe just pure grit, when he returned to the sideline in uniform, with CBS sideline reporter Melanie Collins noting he “appeared to be in good spirits.” But the damage was done. Achane finished his abbreviated season with just three carries for 17 yards in Week 3, bringing his season totals to 34 carries for 117 yards and seven receptions for an additional 49 yards. The toughest part? He concluded the year without a single touchdown to his name.
Dolphins Are Suddenly Thin: Ollie Gordon II’s Wild Week 3
This injury immediately sent ripples through Miami’s running back depth chart, and honestly, it got wild fast. With Achane ruled out, Ollie Gordon II stepped up a rung on the depth chart. The third-year ball carrier from Oklahoma State, who had only totaled three touches over the first two weeks of the season, suddenly became the main man. He even scored the team’s first touchdown of the day with a three-yard run in the first quarter, showing what he could do with the increased workload. Gordon ended up with a whopping 20 touches against the Chiefs, a massive jump from his previous output.
But the bad news wasn’t over for the Dolphins’ running back room. Just two quarters after Achane departed, Gordon himself left the game, reporting cramps. He was also deemed questionable to return, highlighting just how quickly things can unravel. The Dolphins announced he was the only other active running back on their Week 2 roster, meaning if he couldn’t go, they were truly scraping the bottom of the barrel. With Achane done for the year, Gordon projects as the top ballcarrier moving forward, but his own injury scare in the same game shows just how precarious the situation has become for Miami. What a brutal turn of events for their backfield, leaving them in a tough spot for the rest of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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