Dolphins’ De’Von Achane sidelined by knee injury vs. Chiefs after 11-yard run

NEW YORK, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was ruled out of Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after suffering a knee injury on the team’s third offensive play.

Achane left the field under his own power but did not return for the remainder of the first half. He was spotted on the sideline post-halftime without his shoulder pads or helmet before being officially ruled out, according to ESPN’s report from Miami Gardens. Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley had previously suggested Achane could handle 40-plus touches per week, but the running back told reporters this week he has not raised concerns about workload.

"Me and Haf already had a conversation," Achane said. "He always wants me to—if I see something, come up to him and tell us something, but I’ve never been that type of player to go to somebody and tell them what to do or say, ‘Oh, I need the ball more.’"

Achane’s durability has been a defining trait of his career. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound back missed only two games over the past two seasons despite logging 586 total touches, though he sat out five games as a rookie in 2023 due to a knee issue. His 2025 season—1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns—earned him his first Pro Bowl nod, but his 2026 campaign has started slowly.

With Jaylen Wright inactive due to a stinger, the Dolphins activated only two running backs: Achane and second-year back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon II responded immediately to Achane’s exit, scoring his first touchdown of the season in the second half. The Chiefs’ defense, which limited Miami to 10 points, exploited the backfield disruption, holding Achane to just 11 yards on three carries before his injury.

The Dolphins’ offensive line struggled to create consistent running lanes without Achane’s speed, and the loss deepens concerns about Miami’s ability to sustain production without its primary ball carrier. Achane’s injury mechanism—a tackling angle that forced an awkward landing—raises questions about potential ligament damage, though no further details were released.

Hafley’s confidence in Achane’s workload suggests the coaching staff remains optimistic about his physical capacity, but the injury halts momentum in a season where the Dolphins have relied on their running game. Gordon II’s performance in Achane’s absence will be critical in evaluating the team’s backup options, though sustaining a two-back approach against elite defenses remains a challenge.

Achane’s return timeline hinges on imaging results and his response to treatment. The Dolphins have not provided a specific window for his next appearance, but his absence forces Miami to adjust its offensive strategy—likely shifting more snaps to the passing game or designed runs. The 24-10 defeat underscores the Chiefs’ ability to contain Miami’s ground attack, but the long-term impact of Achane’s injury will determine whether the Dolphins can recover.