On Monday, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided injury updates on running back De’Von Achane and star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Brandon Jones and De'Von Achane and Waddle will practice today, per McDaniel; so it's encouraging for all 3. Armstead not ready to practice today but "progressing well." … Lamm likely would start IF Armstead cannot play Sunday (that's me, not McDaniel saying that last line).
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 4, 2023
Waddle, 24, was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after a successful three-season stint playing college football at the University of Alabama. He finished with 500-plus receiving yards and four-plus receiving touchdowns in each of his three seasons as a member of the Crimson Tide.
He has played two seasons in the NFL, both as a member of the Dolphins franchise. Waddle is fresh off arguably the best season of his pro career, as he racked up 1,356 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns while leading the entire league in yards per reception (18.1) in 17 games played with the Dolphins during the 2022 regular season.
Additionally, his longest reception a season ago was for a whopping 84 yards.
Meanwhile, Achane, 21, was selected with the No. 84 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft following a very successful three-season stint playing college football at Texas A&M University. Achane ran for 350-plus rushing yards and four-plus rushing touchdowns in each of his three seasons with the team.
The 5-foot-9 running back’s best season of college football came during his third and final season with Texas A&M, the 2022 season. He ran for 1,102 yards on 196 carries — which equates to 5.6 rushing yards per attempt — and eight touchdowns in 10 appearances during the season.
Furthermore, he contributed as a receiver in his third and final season of college football, ending up with 196 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Achane’s contributions didn’t translate to a whole lot of wins for the Aggies, though. They finished the 2022 regular season with a subpar 5-7 record and 2-6 record against conference opponents.
Here’s to hoping that Waddle and Achane will be healthy enough to play in the Dolphins’ 2023 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in six days. After all, they are two of the most talented young players on Miami’s roster.
