Miami Dolphins Lose Star Running Back De'Von Achane for Season After ACL Tear

Achane sustained the injury early in the game at Hard Rock Stadium after carrying the ball three times for 17 yards. He left the field and did not return. The Dolphins initially described the injury as a knee problem before further evaluation confirmed the ACL tear. NFL Network reported that Achane would miss the rest of the season, while Reuters confirmed the diagnosis and the impact on his 2026 campaign.

The injury is a significant development for a Miami team that opened the season 0-3. Achane entered the year as one of the central pieces of the Dolphins' offense after producing a career-best 1,350 rushing yards and 1,838 total yards from scrimmage in 2025. His performance last season earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.

Through three games this season, Achane had recorded 127 rushing yards on 34 attempts and 49 receiving yards. He had not yet scored a touchdown before the injury. His absence leaves Miami without one of its most productive and versatile offensive players as the team attempts to recover from its difficult opening stretch.

The Dolphins will now have to adjust their backfield rotation. Second-year running back Ollie Gordon II becomes an important option after recording 41 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against Kansas City. Gordon had already been part of the offensive rotation, but Achane's season-ending injury increases his expected workload.

The loss comes at a difficult point for Miami. The Dolphins entered the season with a new head coach in Jeff Hafley and expectations that the team could build around an offense featuring several established players. Instead, the team has started the campaign without a victory and now faces the additional challenge of replacing its leading running back.

Achane had also become an important presence beyond his statistics. Hafley described him as a team captain and praised his leadership and energy within the locker room. His role had expanded as the organization looked to establish a new identity under its first-year head coach.

The Chiefs game further highlighted the difficulties Miami has faced. Kansas City defeated the Dolphins 24-10, while Miami struggled to generate enough offense to overcome mistakes and the loss of key personnel. The Dolphins' defense also faced extended pressure as Kansas City maintained control for much of the game.

For the Dolphins, replacing Achane will involve more than finding another player to duplicate his production. His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver has made him an important part of Miami's offensive design. The coaching staff will have to redistribute those responsibilities among multiple players.

Achane's injury also changes the outlook for a player who had established himself as one of the team's most important young stars. Since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2023, he has accumulated 4,510 yards from scrimmage and 35 touchdowns across 47 regular-season games.

The Dolphins now enter the next phase of the season facing two immediate challenges: finding a workable replacement for Achane and attempting to turn around an 0-3 start. The running back's absence removes a major component of the offense, while the team's winless record increases the importance of upcoming games.

For Miami, the season-ending injury represents one of the most significant setbacks of the opening weeks of the 2026 season. Achane's return will now become a longer-term consideration, while the Dolphins must rely on their remaining running backs and reshape their offensive approach for the rest of the year.