Miami Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is dealing with a calf injury, which was announced by head coach Mike McDaniel on Monday. The severity of this injury is cause for concern for the Dolphins, as he will not practice this week ahead of their preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, Achane is expected to play in Week 1 of the regular season vs. the Colts.
While speaking with reporters, McDaniel said that Achane sitting out is “preventative in nature” due to the type of athlete Achane is. This is the type of soft tissue injury that could linger if the right precautions are not taken.
This gives Achane enough time to heal up and likely get ready for their season opener. The Dolphins will need all hands on deck — this means a healthy Achane — if they want to turn things around in 2025 and get back to the postseason.
💰 Use PrizePicks Promo Code "Playbook" to get $50 in Lineups instantly when you play $5+
How Long is De'Von Achane Out For?
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is expected to miss at least one week as of Aug. 18. This means he will be out this week of practice, along with the last preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While McDaniel said that this is just a preventative measure, there’s room to pause regarding the severity of calf injuries. Any lower-body injury for a player like Achane can dramatically change the outcome of the season for them.
Currently, Achane is expected to play Week 1 of the regular season, according to McDaniel.
CBS injury analyst Marty Jaramillo believes the injury is more severe than the Dolphins are leading everyone to believe. Jaramillo says, “I actually fully expect him to miss possibly the first 3 weeks of the season.”
If this is true, this could be devastating not only to the Miami Dolphins and their fans but also to fantasy football owners. Regardless, it'll be something to watch as we continue to get ready for Week 1 of the season.
Although he is expected to play in Week 1, PrizePicks has removed Achane's season-long fantasy football projections on the NFLSZN board, as his status remains up in the air for the start of the season until he returns to practice.
De'Von Achane Injury History
Most concerning about Achane's calf injury and the fantasy football impact is his history with injuries since he joined the league in 2023. This good news? This is his first soft tissue injury in that span.
In 2023, he missed the start of the season with a AC joint sprain he picked up in preseason. Then, in Week 8, Achane missed four weeks with an MCL sprain.
Last year, Achane picked up an ankle spring in Week 1 and a concussion in Week 5, but played in all 17 games.
De'Von Achane Injury Fantasy Football Impact
De’Von Achane's injury has to be somewhat concerning to fantasy football owners who already drafted him and to those who were targeting him in their upcoming drafts. I drafted Achane in a few of my leagues, and I am devastated by this news, as soft tissue injuries — even minor ones — can linger for some time.
If you still have your draft coming up and are looking to draft elsewhere after this news, those going around the same ADP as Achane are Texans aWR Nico Collins, Jaguars WR Brian Thomas, Packers RB Josh Jacobs, and Eagles WR A.J. Brown, according to FantasyPros.
Out of that group, Collins may be the one to target, as he has paths to finish as a top 5 fantasy football WR this year.
As for the Dolphins’ backfield, it would turn into a committee that I would steer far away from. If Achane misses time, will be RB Jaylen Wright and RB Alexander Mattison who would be splitting the carries. There is also RB Ollie Gordon II, who has been impressing in the preseason.
That said, none of them the kind of explosiveness or upside that Achane brings to this team. Being without him would seriously hamper the upside of the entire offense.
Currently, Achane is just expected to miss a week of practice (Aug. 18-25) and the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but this is an injury worth monitoring until the season.
