NFL insider Jordan Schultz is reporting that Miami Dolphins rookie running back Jaylen Wright will likely make his NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.
“Source: #Dolphins rookie RB Jaylen Wright is expected to be active tonight vs the #Bills and make his NFL debut,” Schultz wrote on X. “The 4th-round pick out of Tennessee was inactive for Week 1, but with Raheem Mostert out and De’Von Achane officially questionable, Wright is set to step in.
“He ran a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.”
The Dolphins drafted Wright with the No. 120 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after he spent three seasons playing college football at the University of Tennessee.
In the 2023 college football season — Wright’s final season playing at that level — he racked up 1,013 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He achieved those numbers on 137 total rushing attempts, which means he ran for an impressive 7.4 yards per carry.
Wright is at his deadliest on the offensive side of the ball when he’s rushing, but he also was productive from a receiving standpoint last season when the opportunities presented themselves. He totaled 141 receiving yards on 22 catches across 12 games with the Volunteers after he didn’t contribute much in that department in his freshman and sophomore seasons.
The Dolphins are likely hoping that Wright will give their offense a jolt with two of the team’s better running backs dealing with injuries. Mostert has already been ruled out while Achane is questionable. There is optimism that Achane will play, but even if he does suit up, it’s anyone’s guess whether or not he’ll look like his normal self.
Based on the success that the Arizona Cardinals had in the running game against Buffalo’s defense in a matchup between the two teams in Week 1, the Dolphins might be wise to run the ball with great frequency on Thursday night.
After all, the Cardinals finished with 124 rushing yards, scoring one touchdown on the ground and averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Fans of the Dolphins shouldn’t have incredibly high expectations for Wright against the Bills, as Thursday will mark his first regular-season NFL game. But there seemingly is a chance that the Dolphins could turn to him quite a bit in his NFL debut, especially if Achane ends up not playing.
