The Dolphins already are being speculated as a potential 0-17 team and losing their best offensive playmaker isn’t going to quell those concerns.
Star running back De’Von Achane suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Sunday against the Chiefs, NFL Network reported Monday morning.
Miami head coach Jeff Hafley indicated after the 24-10 home loss that the team feared for the worst.
“To be honest with you, it does not sound optimistic,” he said.
Achane, 24, appeared to suffer the injury on the Dolphins’ fifth offensive snap Sunday after being tackled oddly by Kansas City’s Alohi Gilman.
He gingerly walked off the field and did not return after tallying three carries for 17 yards.
This injury comes just four months after Miami rewarded the former third-round pick with a four-year, $64 million extension.
Achane had been off to a slow start by his standards, tallying just 34 rushes for 127 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and zero touchdowns.
Normally a dual-threat back, he added just seven catches for 49 yards and zero scores.
The ineptitude of Miami’s offense seemingly took its toll on his production, with the Dolphins — alongside New England — averaging a league-low 12 points per game.
Miami (0-3) is generating the seventh-fewest offensive yards per game, the ninth-fewest passing yards per game and the 13th-fewest rushing yards per contest.
Achane tallied 1,838 total yards last season to earn his first career Pro Bowl honor.
Second-year sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon replaced Achane and tallied 17 rushes for 41 yards while also finding the end zone.
The Dolphins entered the season projected to be one of the NFL’s worst teams and this injury only solidifies their chances to be picking No. 1 in next year’s draft.
Week 4 brings an uphill challenge on the road against an undefeated Vikings team that loves to blitz under uber-aggressive defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
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