Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane has been dealing with a calf injury that kept him sidelined for the final two weeks of training camp and both preseason games. The versatile back went down during joint practices and hasn’t been seen on the field since, raising questions about his readiness for the regular season opener. With the team’s running back depth already depleted, here’s what fantasy football managers need to know about Achane’s availability.
Is De’Von Achane Playing Week 1?
All signs point to Achane being ready for the Dolphins’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on September 7. The third-year running back returned to practice on Monday for the first time in three weeks, marking a significant step toward Week 1 availability.
Head coach Mike McDaniel expressed clear optimism about Achane’s status during Monday’s press conference. “I’m expecting him not to miss a beat based on the tremendous offseason I would expect him being [ready] for Week 1,” McDaniel told reporters. When asked directly about his availability, McDaniel was definitive: “He doesn’t have any [setbacks], he’ll be playing.”
The injury occurred during the Dolphins’ joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Achane suffered what was initially described as a “soft tissue lower-body issue”. The team quickly identified it as a calf strain and took a cautious approach to his recovery.
McDaniel emphasized throughout the process that the team was being “super proactive” with Achane’s treatment to prevent any setbacks. The coach described the absence as a “preventative measure” rather than a serious injury concern.
De’Von Achane #dolphins
Loving that he returned to practice. Will have had about 4 weeks from injury to week 1.
Calves have a 15-20% recurrence rate but only mild impact on fantasy production and with nearly a month to rehab, he should play like a RB1 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/fpCPfzBUlN
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) September 1, 2025
General manager Chris Grier had previously indicated that Achane was expected to be ready for Week 1, telling reporters last week that the team anticipated having their starting running back available for the season opener. Monday’s return to practice confirmed those expectations.
The timing of Achane’s return is crucial for Miami’s offensive plans. The team is already dealing with significant depth issues at running back, with backup Jaylen Wright expected to miss time due to leg surgery and veteran Alexander Mattison done for the season.
Achane’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Achane can feel like a complicated player. He is ultra-explosive but can be inconsistent and is part of a Jekyll and Hyde offense. When you boil it down, however, it’s quite simple: he’s a fantasy star that you should play as long as the Miami offense is whole.
I don’t really care about the matchup, and I’m not sweating how Tyreek Hill thinks the backfield should function inside the 10-yard line. Through two seasons, Achane is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 3.8 catches per game. He is in a scoring position the second he touches the ball. In an offense designed to attack horizontally, there is a clear path for him to be the highest-scoring player in fantasy without much squinting.
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As for this specific matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, I have no concerns. You have the green light to deploy Achane however you’d like across a variety of formats. Sure, the Colts had the sixth-best rush success defense in the league against opposing backs, but they also allowed the third-highest completion percentage on short passes, which are throws under 10 air yards.
That’s the kind of versatility that made Christian McCaffrey and Brian Westbrook great in the past. You might be able to take away one strength if you’re lucky, but completely shutting him down is unlikely when this offense is at full capacity.
I like the price you paid for Achane this summer. He has every chance to start 2025 with a bang, offering a glimpse of what is possible if his surrounding environment stays consistent.
— Kyle Soppe, PFSN Fantasy Analyst
