'Excellent chance' De'Von Achane returns this week?

The Dolphins are opening the 21-day practice window for rookie RB De'Von Achane to return from IR. Achane missed the past four games with a knee sprain, but Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald says it "sounds like there's an excellent chance" the rookie plays this week. HC Mike McDaniel reportedly even indicated that Achane could have played through the issue with a brace on the affected knee. But the team decided that didn't fit the player's long-term interests. Achane, of course, has scored fantasy points at a ridiculous rate when on the field so far this year, leading all RBs in PPR points per game on just 11.75 touches per contest. He's likely bound for some regression on that, but should also remain a weekly fantasy starter. His combo of game-breaking speed and an offense designed to exploit that skill makes Achane a high-upside play across matchups. His return challenges RB Raheem Mostert's role a bit but hasn't altered Mostert's touch count to date. Mostert has averaged 13.4 touches across five full games without Achane; 14.0 per game in the three contests in which Achane played a significant role. (The rookie touched the ball only twice in his first game.) RBs Jeff Wilson Jr. and Salvon Ahmed, on the other hand, can be dropped in most redraft formats.

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane tallied 10 carries for 56 rushing yards and a TD in Week 18 vs. the Bills. The rookie also caught one pass and added 5 yards as a pass-catcher in Sunday night’s contest. Though injuries to Achane’s shoulder, knee, and toe limited him to 11 games in 2023, the speedster was able to finish as the RB5 in PPR points per game (17.3) and lead the league with a gaudy 7.8 yards per carry (YPC). To put that number into context, consider that Achane’s 7.8 YPC ranks first among all RBs with at least 100 carries over the past 20 seasons combined. The next closest player in that span is former Chiefs great Jamaal Charles’ 6.4 YPC in 2010. Injury concerns aside, there’s no dismissing the game-breaking, big-play capability that Achane demonstrated with the Dolphins this year. He won’t turn 23 until October of 2024 and should be considered as one of the most valuable, albeit volatile, dynasty RB assets moving forward.

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane (toe) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He played through this toe issue last week and should be ready for this weekend's showdown vs. the Cowboys.

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane (toe) missed practice on Wednesday. Achane was questionable with a toe injury ahead of Week 15, then played into the fourth quarter of a blowout win. We’ll see if he’s able to get on the field tomorrow in preparation for a marquee showdown with Dallas. For now, our Week 16 RB rankings find Achane in RB2 range.

Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (toe) is active for today’s game vs. the Jets. He only got in a limited practice on Friday, so it’s safe to assume that he’ll be playing at far less than 100% today. Miami could really use Achane with WR Tyreek Hill out, though. Consider the rookie a risk/reward RB2 play in fantasy lineups.

Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (toe) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Jets. He only got in a limited practice on Friday. HC Mike McDaniel called Achane’s availability an “unknown” on Thursday, so the rookie is seemingly in legitimate danger of missing this one. We’ll get Miami’s inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.