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Dolphins have decision to make on Achane; Ramsey wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week

david furones, south florida sun-sentinel
·6 min read

MIAMI GARDENS — It was a positive sign that Miami Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane was already listed as a limited participant on the team’s Tuesday injury report, although that was just a walkthrough.

Wednesday, Achane tested his ailing knee through a more stringent practice as the Dolphins are determining whether he can play at the New York Jets in a 3 p.m. Friday kickoff on a short week. He tweaked the right knee injury he just recovered from in Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“(Wednesday) is a big day for him,” said McDaniel before Achane went through what was officially listed as a limited practice on the team’s injury report. “We’ll have to make a decision. He’s going to want to play, and it’s not really a preventative decision on how much he can sustain and worry about further injury. It’s not that. … I need to still make sure of where his confidence level is at with something that I know is uncharted for him.”

McDaniel wondered Wednesday whether Achane could handle his duties for four quarters before seeing him in drills. If that’s the concern, could a limited snap count in a running back group that also should have a healthy Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. be in play?

“All things are up in the air,” McDaniel said. “From a medical standpoint, there’s no risk in regard to, ‘All right, this is pressing the envelope.’ That’s what I first established.

“It’s more about his confidence, and yes, there is a chance that he’ll play, for sure, but there’s a chance that he won’t either.”

Achane missed four games on injured reserve with the knee injury sustained Oct. 8 against the New York Giants. Sunday against the Raiders, he started but lasted only three snaps, making one rush attempt and then aggravating the knee on a 4-yard reception on the first play of Miami’s second possession.

If Wilson plays a greater role behind Mostert, as fellow tailback Salvon Ahmed was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, McDaniel is confident in him.

“That position in particular has an unpredictable injury flowchart,” McDaniel said. “Honestly, I’m so excited for where Jeff is at because (Wilson’s lack of playing time) has nothing to do with his performance in terms of not doing X, Y or Z. There are a multitude of variables.

“When you stay patient and you worry about the stuff you can control, the whole point of doing that is so that, in moments like these, your game hasn’t suffered when the opportunity is right in front of you. Jeff is ready, fully healthy, and I’m excited for the people’s champ to get some action.”

On the offensive line, the Dolphins are already tracking right guard Robert Hunt’s status; he has missed the past two games recovering from a hamstring injury.

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Then, left tackle Austin Jackson and left guard Lester Cotton popped up on the team’s injury report Tuesday for previously unknown ailments — Jackson’s oblique and Cotton’s hip.

McDaniel said Wednesday he’s optimistic both Jackson and Cotton will be able to play Friday.

Meanwhile, McDaniel said he believes Hunt will at least dress for the game at MetLife Stadium, but that doesn’t mean he will start at New York.

“It’s pretty gray,” McDaniel said. “We have to be pretty fluid as a coaching staff. There’s a lot still up in the air.”

All three, along with left tackle Terron Armstead, still nursing and playing through his knee injury, were participated in Wednesday drills and were limited.

Ramsey wins weekly award

Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after he hauled in two athletic interceptions in Sunday’s win, including the game-clincher late.

It’s Ramsey’s second such honor. He also earned it for his performance Dec. 24, 2016, with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he returned an interception for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.

The last Dolphins player to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week was cornerback Xavien Howard, who did it in Week 10 of the 2021 season against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ramsey won the fourth Player of the Week award for the Dolphins this season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was also September’s Player of the Month in the conference, earned it in Week 1 at the Los Angeles Chargers, running back De’Von Achane in Week 3 versus the Denver Broncos and running back Raheem Mostert got it for his Week 6 performance against the Carolina Panthers.

Other injuries

Tight end Durham Smythe (ankle), along with reserve offensive lineman Robert Jones (knee), returned to the team’s Wednesday practice after they were listed on the Tuesday injury report as non-participants, in an estimation of what participation would have been for a full practice as Miami held a light walkthrough.

McDaniel noted Smythe’s absence Sunday against the Raiders with his ankle ailment as a factor in the offense not running smoothly.

Said offensive coordinator Frank Smith on Tuesday of Smythe: “A true pro, toughness, grit. Just everything you want in guys that are part of your roster. His approach, his detail to everything has been fantastic. He’s just a really valued member of our football team. We’re really fortunate to have him.”

Dolphins that were limited for a second straight day: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (hand), Mostert (ankle/knee), fullback Alec Ingold (foot/ankle) and wide receiver Chase Claypool (knee). Fellow wideout Braxton Berrios (hamstring) went through a second consecutive full practice. No defensive players are even on Miami’s injury report.

For the Jets, left tackle Mekhi Becton was previously reported to be out, but he participated on a limited basis Wednesday in an attempt to play Friday through ankle and knee injuries.

No ‘Hard Knocks’ for McDaniel

McDaniel’s review of the debut episode of “Hard Knocks” chronicling the Dolphins’ season?

He didn’t watch it.

“I didn’t see it. I was asleep,” said McDaniel, who regularly wakes up extremely early to make it to team facilities before sunrise.

He was pleased to learn linebackers coach Anthony Campanile was highlighted for his intense, expletive-laced speech.

“That’s a Jersey thing, man,” McDaniel said. “He’s got stuff in his back pocket that him and all his brothers — I mean, he’s one of however many football coaching brothers he has — so people responded to him well.”