The Miami Dolphins were dealt a hard blow after it was confirmed that running back De’Von Achane will miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee, according to sources cited by ESPN.
Achane suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Dolphins’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after being tackled awkwardly. After the game, Miami head coach Jeff Hafley had already warned that the outlook for the running back did not seem encouraging.
The loss represents a major problem for the Dolphins who had made Achane one of the main pieces of their offense.
Achane was Miami’s great offensive figure
The 24-year-old running back had begun the season as the Dolphins’ leader in both rushing yards, with 127, and yards from scrimmage, with 176.
During the preseason, Hafley had even raised the possibility that Achane could receive between 40 and 45 touches per game, a sign of the importance he had in Miami’s offensive scheme.
Without their main running back, the role in the backfield will fall mainly to Ollie Gordon, who finished the game against Kansas City with 17 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Wright also aims to receive more opportunities.
Achane had signed a million-dollar extension
The injury comes just months after Achane signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Dolphins.
The agreement came after an extraordinary 2025 season, in which the running back accumulated 1,838 yards from scrimmage, establishing himself as one of Miami’s main offensive weapons.
Achane’s loss also aggravates the Dolphins’ difficult start to the season. Miami has an 0-3 record, while its offense ranks 31st in the NFL in points scored and its defense ranks 28th in points allowed.
Now, the Dolphins will have to reorganize their attack to face the rest of the season without one of their fundamental pieces.
