The Miami Dolphins added another running back to their game roster Saturday with two of Ollie Gordon II’s backups still questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Miami elevated Carlos Washington Jr. and kicker Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad. The move gives the Dolphins another backfield option while Jaylen Wright and Kaytron Allen deal with quadriceps injuries.
Neither Wright nor Allen has been ruled out. Washington’s elevation provides depth, but it does not settle which running backs will be active Sunday.
Where Carlos Washington Jr. fits in Dolphins’ backfield
The uncertainty behind Gordon persisted after Wright returned to practice Thursday. Friday’s final report left both reserve backs questionable, although their participation levels differed.
According to the Dolphins’ official injury report, Wright remained limited Friday while Allen advanced to full participation. Gordon was not listed on the report.
| Running back | Latest status |
|---|---|
| Ollie Gordon II | Not listed on injury report |
| Jaylen Wright | Questionable — quadriceps; limited Friday |
| Kaytron Allen | Questionable — quadriceps; full practice Friday |
| Carlos Washington Jr. | Elevated from practice squad Saturday |
Washington has already appeared for Miami this season, playing in its Week 5 game against Cincinnati. The team credits him with three career NFL appearances across his time with the Falcons and Dolphins after Atlanta signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
The Dolphins are also trying to restore their rushing production. Miami’s streak of five games with at least 100 rushing yards ended against New England last week.
Left guard Kadyn Proctor is returning after missing that game, giving the offense a reinforcement up front as it sorts out its available runners.
Zane Gonzalez reaches final practice-squad elevation
Gonzalez’s elevation carries a separate consequence beyond Sunday’s game.
This is Gonzalez’s third elevation, following his appearances against the Jets and Patriots. Washington, by comparison, is using his second.
Under the NFL’s practice-squad elevation rules, a player must be signed to the 53-man roster to play again after exhausting three standard elevations during the regular season. Miami therefore would need to give Gonzalez a roster spot to continue using him after Detroit.
The Dolphins host the Lions at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. The inactive list, released 90 minutes before kickoff, will provide the next definitive answer on Wright and Allen.
