The Miami Dolphins have received a pair of positive injury updates on running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert leading up to their showdown against a fellow AFC East team in the Buffalo Bills — though only one of the updates has implications for Thursday’s game.
There is reportedly optimism that Achane — who is nursing an ankle sprain — will suit up for the Dolphins against the Bills.
#Dolphins RB Devon Achane, dealing with an ankle sprain, will work out pregame tonight to determine his availability against the #Bills. But based on how he feels and how he practiced yesterday, there is optimism that he plays, per me and @CameronWolfe, even on a short week. pic.twitter.com/ZIHTgQ1TPY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2024
Furthermore, while Mostert has already been ruled out against the Bills with a chest injury, his injury seemingly isn’t considered to be all that serious.
Meanwhile, #Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert, who is out tonight with a chest injury, is not expected to be placed on Injured Reserve. His injury is not considered to be season-ending or long-term, and Mostert should be back sooner, rather than later. https://t.co/a4tFobxu4Y
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2024
The Dolphins weren’t very productive from a rushing standpoint in the team’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 8.
Miami totaled only 81 rushing yards as a team, and Achane and Mostert combined for just 33 rushing yards. The former finished with 24 rushing yards while the latter totaled nine. Achane did score a touchdown. Fellow running back Jeff Wilson Jr. ended up leading the team in rushing yards with 26.
Mostert and Achane each logged less rushing yardage in the matchup than they averaged per game in the 2023 regular season. Achane averaged 72.7 rushing yards per contest last season, and Mostert averaged 67.5 while also totaling a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns.
But despite the fact that the Dolphins’ rushing game was relatively ineffective in the team’s first game of the 2024 regular season, the squad still managed to come away with a win.
The Dolphins beat the Jaguars by three points thanks to big games from players like Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Tagovailoa threw for 338 yards and one touchdown while completing 23 of his 37 passing attempts. As for Hill, he accumulated a team-high 130 receiving yards along with one receiving touchdown on seven receptions.
Miami’s next opponent — the Bills — might prove to be a more difficult test, however. The Bills have consistently been one of the top squads in the AFC East division since the start of the decade, and the team is off to a 1-0 start to the 2024 regular season after it picked up a win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Dolphins fans are hoping that the squad will fare better in the running game on Thursday and earn its second win of the season.
