Dolphins Lose De'Von Achane for Season Following ACL Tear in Week 3 Loss

A Crushing Blow in Miami Gardens

The Miami Dolphins' difficult 0-3 start to the 2026 season hit a devastating low point on Monday afternoon. The team officially announced that star running back De'Von Achane has been placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL, an injury sustained during the opening drive of Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Achane, a 2025 Pro Bowler and team captain, was seen as the engine of an offense that has struggled to find its rhythm under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley. The injury happened early in the first quarter when Achane went down after a short gain. He was helped to the sideline and did not return to the game. Monday's MRI confirmed the worst-case scenario for a player who led the NFL in yards per carry (5.7) just a season ago and was coming off a career-high 1,350 rushing yards in 2025. "My heart breaks for De'Von," said head coach Jeff Hafley during his Monday press conference. "He is a leader, a captain, and a special talent. We have to find a way to rally, but you don't just replace a player of his caliber overnight."

Roster Shuffles and the Road Ahead

With Achane sidelined for the remainder of the year, the Dolphins are forced to look toward their depth chart for answers. Rookies Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon are expected to see a significant increase in workload as Miami prepares for a Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Gordon saw limited action on Sunday, returning briefly after dealing with cramps, but he will now likely be thrust into a primary role alongside Wright. In addition to the Achane move, the Dolphins announced several other transactions on Monday to clear roster space. The team waived defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. and released edge rusher Clelin Ferrell and defensive lineman Jordan Miller from the practice squad. These moves leave Miami with two open spots on the 53-man roster, which are expected to be filled as the team looks for veteran backfield depth or defensive reinforcements. The Dolphins' offense, led by quarterback Malik Willis, has struggled to produce explosive plays consistently through three weeks. Without Achane's game-breaking speed, the pressure mounts on Willis and wide receivers like Chris Bell—who set career highs with four catches on Sunday—to carry the load for a team desperate for its first win of the campaign.