Superstar running back De’Von Achane, the Miami Dolphins’ clear top option, is officially done for the season with a brutal ACL injury suffered after Week 3. This is a massive hit to their offense, and it means the Fins have to scramble to find new key playmakers for the rest of the year.
The Committee Approach Is Here
So, who’s stepping up to fill those massive shoes? According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins are expected to roll with a split backfield, dishing out touches to both Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright in Achane’s absence. Fowler himself said, “My sense is that Gordon and Wright will share the load in the short term, and Wright is expected to return from injury this week. One of the two could emerge over the next few weeks, but for now Miami plans to use both.” This isn’t going to be a one-man show now that Achane is sidelined. The Dolphins aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket right away, preferring to see how these two backs perform before making any long-term decisions.
Meet Your New Workhorses
What can we expect from these guys? Gordon is being described as more of a “floor play” for the Dolphins, while Wright brings that “explosive, big-play upside” we all crave. Wright’ isn’t new to carrying the load, either. He led this backfield last season in Week 14, toting the rock 24 times for a solid 107 yards and a touchdown. And Gordon? He got the backfield all to himself in Week 3 this season after Achane went down early. He ran for 41 yards on 17 attempts, snagged a touchdown, and added three receptions for 14 yards, all against a tough Kansas City Chiefs defense. Both have shown flashes, and both have made a case for getting the bulk of the work.
So, get ready, Dolphins fans! Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings is gonna be the first look at this new committee. While things could totally change depending on who gets the hot hand, right now, the plan is clear: Gordon and Wright are the guys, and no other back is challenging for significant snaps this year. It’s go time for these two to prove they can carry the load!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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