For a struggling Miami team, the news about its best offensive weapon was the worst it could have gotten. Running back De’Von Achane will miss the rest of the 2026 season after tearing his ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury was confirmed Monday after follow-up testing.
How it happened
The injury came early and without contact from an opponent. Achane planted his left leg to cut right on a first-quarter run, and his leg gave out. He slowed, and a Kansas City defender then finished the tackle. He left the game in under five minutes. He was initially listed as questionable to return, then downgraded to out. Head coach Jeff Hafley said after the game that he wasn’t optimistic about the injury. That turned out to be accurate. Achane finished with three carries for 17 yards before leaving.
A costly loss for Miami
The timing makes it harder. Achane had signed a four-year, $64 million contract this offseason, and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan considers him a “pillar” of the rebuilding Dolphins. He was also coming off a career year. In 2025, he recorded 1,838 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns, and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He led the league in yards per carry that season, at 5.7.
This is also the first major injury of his career. He missed five games as a rookie in 2023 but only one over the next two seasons. That durability was part of his value, and Miami had built its offense around it. He has been the focal point of the Dolphins’ offense for three seasons.
The team’s outlook was already poor. Miami is 0-3 and ranks 31st in the league in scoring at 12.0 points per game. Achane’s own start had been quiet by his standards. He didn’t top 100 scrimmage yards in either of the first two games. His final 2026 line reads 127 rushing yards on 34 carries and 49 receiving yards on seven catches, with no touchdowns.
Who fills the backfield?
The Dolphins had little depth even before the injury. Ollie Gordon II was the only other active running back on Sunday. Jaylen Wright was inactive with a stinger, and Jarquez Hunter is on the practice squad. Gordon had 41 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, and receiver Malik Washington also took snaps at running back after Achane went down. Wright, who is also dealing with a foot injury, and Gordon are expected to be the main backfield options for the final 14 games. Fantasy analysts see limited upside for either, given how weak the offense has been.
The road back
An ACL tear typically means surgery and a long rehab. If there are no setbacks, Achane could be ready for Week 1 of the 2027 season. That timeline is an estimate, and it is especially uncertain for a player whose game depends on speed and sharp cuts. Miami’s decision to commit long-term money to him will now be judged partly on how well he returns.
For now, the Dolphins have a young roster, a winless start, and a rebuild that just lost its top playmaker.
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