Talk about a gut punch, man! The Miami Dolphins just lost their guy, De’Von Achane, for the entire season to a torn ACL. This wasn’t some late-game injury in a blowout either; it happened just five offensive plays into their Week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium. Not only did they drop that game, but now their backfield is in serious trouble.
The Depth Chart Is Looking Scarily Thin
This injury is brutal, leaving the Dolphins with a huge void. Right now, they’ve only got two running backs on their active 53-man roster: Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright. Add to that Jarquez Hunter and Carlos Washington Jr. on the practice squad. That’s it. For a team that relies so heavily on their ground game, losing a player of Achane’s caliber, especially this early, forces general manager Jon-Eric Sullivans into a tough spot. He has to make a move. The question is, who can step in and carry the load?
Four Veteran RBs Miami Could Consider
When you need production *now*, you often look to proven veterans, and there are a few names out there that make sense. First up is **Kareem Hunt**. At 31 years old, Hunt is a serious pro. He was a third-round pick back in 2017 after crushing it at Toledo, earning All-MAC honors three times. He’s got nine seasons under his belt, four with the Chiefs and five with the Browns, racking up 5,775 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns on 4.1 yards per attempt. Plus, the dude can catch, pulling in 267 passes for 2,509 yards and 18 scores. That kind of dual-threat ability is invaluable.
Then there’s **Antonio Gibson**, 28, who came into the league in the third round of the 2020 Draft. After playing at East Central Community College and Memphis, where he earned All-AAC honors twice, he spent four years with the Commanders and two with the Patriots. His career numbers are solid: 3,287 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per attempt, along with 197 receptions for 1,495 yards and seven scores. He’s another guy who can do it all.
Don’t forget **Miles Sanders**, 29, a second-round pick by the Eagles in 2019. This guy knows how to run, coming out of Penn State where he was an All-Big Ten honoree. In his career, he’s spent four years with Philly, two with the Panthers, and one with the Cowboys, piling up 4,462 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 4.7 yards per attempt. He also adds 183 catches for 1,274 yards and four touchdowns. That 4.7 YPC stands out, doesn’t it?
Finally, there’s **Michael Carter**, 27, who was a fourth-round pick in 2021 by the Jets after a standout career at North Carolina, earning All-ACC honors twice and All-American once. In three years with the Jets and three with the Cardinals, he’s rushed for 1,692 yards and nine touchdowns on 4.0 yards per attempt. He’s also grabbed 145 receptions for 1,038 yards and one score. Right now, he’s on Tennessee’s practice squad, which means he might be an easier target to acquire.
What’s Next for the Dolphins?
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivans has his work cut out for him, no doubt. Losing Achane is a brutal blow, especially with how quickly it happened. The team needs to figure out their next move fast to make sure their ground game doesn’t completely stall out. Which one of these veteran backs, or perhaps another option, will get the call to help Miami rebound? It’s going to be wild to see how they handle this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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