Report: Dolphins could scan waiver wire for backup running back

The Miami Dolphins reportedly could look at the waiver wire to add backup running back depth behind Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright and Jeff Wilson Jr. for the 2024 season.

The Dolphins are currently dealing with injuries for running backs Chris Brooks, Salvon Ahmed, Wilson and Wright with just a few weeks to go until the regular season.

“Chris Brooks’ injury (which appeared to be a shoulder or collarbone) decreases the chances of him making the initial 53; he was undergoing further testing on Sunday,” the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote. “Salvon Ahmed’s chances to win that No. 5 job already were questionable because of a recurring foot injury that has limited his practice participation and sidelined him Saturday.

“Meanwhile, Jeff Wilson Jr. remains out with an injury to his nose but has a skill set that has value to the team. So Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright (who missed Saturday’s game with a minor injury) and Wilson are the likely top four.

“If Brooks and Ahmed aren’t retained for injury or performance reasons, Miami could scan the waiver wire for a fifth back.”

Ahmed, 25, has been with the Dolphins for the last four seasons, but it appears he’s not a lock to make the roster for the 2024 campaign. Last season, Ahmed appeared eight games and carried the ball 22 times for 61 yards and a touchdown.

His best season with the Dolphins was in the 2020 campaign when he was called upon to start four of the six games that he played in. The now-veteran running back tallied 319 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns that season while catching 11 passes for 61 yards.

Wright, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, appears to have an inside track to a roster spot with the Dolphins. Miami also took a running back in the 2023 NFL Draft when it picked Achane, and he proved to be a breakout star when he was on the field in the 2023 season.

Injuries limited Achane’s production as a rookie, and with both Mostert and Wilson aging (and Wilson already banged up) it makes sense that Miami wants to have a lot of depth at the running back spot.

Wilson and Mostert both spent time with the San Francisco 49ers earlier in their careers where Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was a part of the coaching staff. If Miami looks to the waiver wire for another back, it may want to target someone that is familiar with McDaniel and his offense to help make the transition to the roster a little easier.

The Dolphins are hoping to repeat some of their offensive success from the 2023 season as they look to win their first playoff game in the McDaniel era in the 2024 campaign.