When Miami Dolphins rookie RB De’Von Achane burst onto the scene, it caused fantasy football managers’ jaws to drop. However, a knee injury halted his incredible start to the season in Week 5. With three weeks having passed without the electric RB on the field, will Achane play in Week 9, and what does it mean for the fantasy values of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.?
Is De’Von Achane Going To Play in Week 9?
Unfortunately, we already know that fantasy managers will not have Achane back for Week 9. The Dolphins RB was placed on the injured reserve (IR) ahead of Week 6 and must miss a minimum of four games before returning to the field. With three games now behind him, there is only one more left for fantasy managers to wait.
Sadly, the story does not end there because those pesky bye weeks rear their ugly head. The Dolphins are on their bye in Week 10 as they return from their trip to Germany, meaning fantasy managers will have to wait at least one more week for Achane to return. However, the hope is that Week 11 will be the time that the rookie sensation heads back onto the field and into fantasy lineups.
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel appeared under the impression Achane would not need longer than the minimum of four games. “No setbacks with De’Von as well. He’s been doing great and has high spirits. It’s like he’s become a second or third-year player already with his attention in meetings and stuff. So that’s awesome.”
However, Achane must still be officially medically cleared. Hopefully, that will happen during the bye week, and then all question marks will be lifted heading into Week 11 and the run into the fantasy playoffs.
Top Fantasy Options for the Dolphins Include Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
Without Achane in the picture, the path has been left clear for Mostert to dominate the backfield in Miami. Unfortunately, it has not all been plain sailing for the veteran RB. Since Achane was ruled out, Mostert has had mixed fortunes.
In that first game without Achane, he rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries while adding a receiving touchdown. In the two weeks since then, Mostert has totaled 97 yards and one touchdown on 22 touches.
Injury issues to the Dolphins’ offensive line have made it tough sledding for the run game, and Mostert’s fantasy managers have not gotten the value boom they were hoping for.
Wilson is also back from injury himself after missing the first six weeks. His role has so far been limited to a total of eight touches, but seven of those came last week. Wilson has dropped right back in as the secondary option to Mostert, and it would not be surprising to see that role grow a little more this week.
We have seen Mostert nursing an ankle injury in practice for the last two weeks. It ultimately has not stopped him from suiting up, but with the Dolphins having long-term playoff ambitions, they may well decide to manage Mostert over the coming weeks.
Right now, Mostert is still the back to start in the Dolphins’ backfield, but Wilson’s role could make this all very complicated from Week 11 onwards if Achane returns.
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