De’Vone Achane is playing through some injuries when Dolphins need him most
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins running back De’Von Achane sees the bright side of some injuries sidelining him this season.
“I wouldn’t say I hit the rookie wall,” Achane said Thursday. “Right now, I haven’t played as many games as everybody else.”
Achane has had a knee injury and now he has a ribs injury and he’s been battling through a toe injury that has required the occasional use of a walking boot.
“After the game it might be a little sore so I wear it early during the week then I take it off to practice at the end of the week,” Achane said.
Achane had 14 rushes for 107 yards last Sunday against the Ravens.
It was the fourth time he’s topped 100 yards this season.
Achane stepped up with Raheem Mostert sidelined with knee and ankle injuries.
He’s extremely fast, he’s an excellent receiving threat and he’s been stronger on inside runs than expected.
“Every offense I’ve been in for high school, college, it wasn’t just outside runs. Most of my big runs come from running in between the tackles,” Achane said.
On Thursday, Achane said he’s watched Barry Sanders highlights.
His game is reminiscent of Warrick Dunn, whom he’s heard about. But Achane is too young to be very familiar with his game.
Achane is a big fan of Christian McCaffrey.
“Not just him running the ball but him going off on routes and basically being an athlete basically,” Achane said. “Not just a running back, but someone who can do routes and catch the football.”
Achane has 744 yards and seven touchdowns in only 10 games. It appears he was an excellent third-round choice from Texas A&M.
Achane said that other than a few “freak injuries” he feels good about how his first pro season has gone.
Achane had 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Bills in a Dolphins’ loss in October.
“Obviously, I have to give the most credit to the offensive line,” Achane said. “They made amazing blocks. It was also early in the season. People weren’t expecting two running backs on the field. There were different packages that everybody didn’t see. When it’s your first time seeing something, you kind of don’t know what to do or what it is. That’s why it was pretty effective doing it early in the season.”
Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com and @schadjoe on X.
Sunday's game
Bills (10-6) at Dolphins (11-5)
8:15 p.m., NBC; streaming on Fubo, NFL+, Peacock and YouTube Sunday Ticket outside South Florida
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins rookie RB De’Von Achane will try to top 100 yards against the Bills for a second time
