The Running Back's Status is Up in the Air

The Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane will test out his ankle before Thursday night’s game against the visiting Buffalo Bills, NFL Network reported. There is optimism in Miami that he will play.

The Dolphins (1-0) have ruled out fellow running back Raheem Mostert for the game against the AFC East rival Bills (1-0) due to a chest injury. Both backs were injured during Miami’s season-opening 20-17 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Achane, 22, had 10 carries for 24 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 76 yards versus the Jaguars. “We’ll see how it plays out,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Achane, who had been limited in practice on Wednesday after sitting out the first two sessions. Achane officially is listed as questionable. The 22-year-old was selected by Miami in the third round of the 2023 Draft, and went on to play 11 games — including four starts — last season.

A Key Piece of the Offense Will Suit Up

A key piece of the Miami Dolphins offense is in play after all, with running back De'Von Achane active for “Thursday Night Football” against the Buffalo Bills. Achane was originally questionable heading into Thursday with an ankle injury. The second-year running back was seen warming up ahead of the TNF matchup, having worked out his injury pregame. Achane's ankle injury was reportedly a sprain, per NFL Network.

Achane, a versatile running back who can also double as a receiver, was limited in practice Wednesday after not participating on Monday and Tuesday. He suffered the injury during the Dolphins' Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. During Sunday's game, Achane rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown, while also catching seven targets for 76 yards. He missed a month last season with a knee injury, but returned to play in November to help the Dolphins push for the playoffs.

Achane's Injury Adds Another Layer to the Dolphins' Backfield

The Dolphins ruled out fellow top back Raheem Mostert due to a chest injury. Achane should see the lion's share of carries out of the Miami backfield, but Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wright, who was a healthy inactive on Sunday, will likely have roles as well. Injuries have been a part of Achane's story to begin his career in the NFL. As a rookie in 2023, he burst onto the scene and was prolific. The 22-year-old averaged 7.8 yards per carry and tallied 800 yards rushing with eight touchdowns in 11 games played. He also caught 27 balls for 197 yards receiving and three more scores. However, he did miss time due to a knee injury. Thus far in 2024, he has yet to put those durability concerns to rest.

Achane's Status a Big Story in Fantasy Football

There's no bigger storyline in fantasy football for Week 2 than the injury status of Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane, who is nursing an ankle injury and will test it out in pregame warmups. Raheem Mostert has already been ruled out, and Jeff Wilson Jr. is already in play with Mostert on the shelf. If Achane sits, Wilson will be a must-start.

But what if you have Achane in your starting lineup and didn't manage to get Wilson or Jaylen Wright on the waiver wire? Hopefully you drafted some running back depth, but you're not totally out of luck if you didn't.

Three Waiver Wire Sleepers to Consider

Here are three running back sleepers, all available in at least 50.0% of ESPN fantasy football leagues, who you can grab off the waiver wire to plug into your starting lineup if you're desperate in Week 2.

Jaleel McLaughlin

Jaleel McLaughlin disappointed in Week 1, scoring just 5.8 PPR fantasy points. But that doesn't tell nearly the entire story about how promising a game it was for fantasy football purposes.

While his snap share (35%) was a little worrying, he racked up 10 rush attempts plus 5 targets in the passing game. The ball went his way on a ridiculous 62.5% of his snaps. It's clear Sean Payton wants to get him the ball.

In comparison, Javonte Williams out-snapped McLaughlin 36 to 24 but only had 8 rush attempts and 2 targets.

Efficiency will continue to be an issue in the Denver Broncos offense, and a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense doesn't help. But volume is priority number one for fantasy production at running back, and McLaughlin should see plenty of that.

Rico Dowdle

In a very different situation, the Dallas Cowboys are heavy favorites against the New Orleans Saints and project to be one of the NFL's highest-scoring teams in Week 2. That's after already putting up 33 points against a very good Cleveland Browns defense in Week 1.

There should be a ton of production to go around in Dallas this week, including enough touchdown upside to make this offense one to target with dart throws.

Dowdle was only out-snapped 32 to 28 by Ezekiel Elliott in the season opener, and the two rotated in and out all game. It wasn't a situation where Dowdle padded his numbers late in a lopsided win.

Elliott is rostered in 82.9% of leagues, but he and Dowdle have very similar (and very promising) outlooks for Week 2.

Chuba Hubbard

Here's your long-shot deep sleeper if you're in an especially sharp league in which competitors have already snapped up McLaughlin and Dowdle.

Sanders is a risk, for sure, but anyone you're finding available in 80-plus percent of leagues always will be. There's a fair amount to like about Sanders right now though.

A lopsided blowout in Week 1 makes it hard to lean too heavily into game-long usage stats for the Carolina Panthers offense, but Sanders had 4 carries and 2 targets in the first half on Sunday. Chuba Hubbard, in comparison, had 3 carries and no targets before halftime.

I know Sanders let everyone down last year, and thriving in the Panthers' offense will not be easy, but perhaps the NFL world was too quick to give up on his talent after one down year? This is still a guy who had 1,300 yards from scrimmage in 2022.

Conclusion: Achane's Injury Impacts Fantasy Football

With Raheem Mostert out and Achane's ankle injury uncertain, fantasy football managers are in a tough spot. If Achane can't go, Jeff Wilson Jr. becomes a must-start. But if you're looking for a backup plan, Jaleel McLaughlin, Rico Dowdle, or Chuba Hubbard are worth a look. Don't forget about the potential for Jaylen Wright if Achane is sidelined.

These are just a few of the storylines to watch as the Dolphins face the Bills on Thursday night. It's a game that could have huge implications for both teams, and for fantasy football players as well.