Ollie Gordon, Jaylen Wright Ready to Take Over After De’Von Achane Injury
The Miami Dolphins will have to move forward without De’Von Achane, and the responsibility of keeping the running game afloat now falls largely on Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright.
Both running backs spoke about Achane’s absence, what he has meant to the running back room, and why they believe they are prepared for their increased roles.
For Gordon, the first reaction wasn’t about football. It was about his teammate.
“You really don’t wish that upon nobody, especially with the type of person De’Von is,” Gordon said. “He’s a great guy. He’s a great leader, and he makes everything go by smoothly.”
Gordon also credited Achane for helping the younger players in Miami’s backfield learn by watching how he approaches the game. He said he has remained in contact with Achane and is focused on helping him maintain a positive outlook during his recovery.
“We’ve been talking,” Gordon said. “Just making sure he’s staying in good spirits and staying the great guy he is.”
Gordon and Wright Prepared for Bigger Roles
As difficult as losing Achane is for Miami, it creates a significant opportunity for Gordon and Wright.
Gordon believes the Dolphins’ practice routine has prepared them for exactly this situation. Even when Achane was healthy and handling much of Miami’s workload, Gordon and Wright still got reps throughout the week.
“We practice everything, we rep everything, even when De’Von was with us,” Gordon said. “Me and 5 still got reps that De’Von would have had.”
Now those practice reps will have to translate into production on Sundays.
“It’s just time for me and 5 to step up, become leaders on this team and keep moving forward,” Gordon said.
Gordon already showed some of what he can provide when he found the end zone against Kansas City. His touchdown was helped by extra effort from one of Miami’s young offensive linemen, who got off the ground and pushed Gordon across the goal line.
Gordon joked that his first thought was simply hoping the lineman didn’t land on him, but he also praised the effort as the type of play that shows maturity beyond a young player’s experience.
Jaylen Wright: “We’re Going to Hold It Down for Him”
Wright echoed Gordon’s feelings about losing Achane.
“De’Von’s going to be missed,” Wright said. “I love De’Von. I wish him the best, quick, fast recovery. Hell of a player, hell of an athlete.”
But Wright also made it clear that Miami’s remaining running backs understand their responsibility.
“We’re going to hold it down for him,” Wright said. “We’re going to try our best just to make him happy, just to continue to build on what he’s been doing.”
One reason Wright is confident the Dolphins can continue running the football effectively is the development of Miami’s offensive line.
After entering the season with questions surrounding the unit, Wright believes the group is improving as it gains experience together.
“The o-line, they’re just coming together more and more every week,” Wright said. “Those big guys, they help us a lot. We rely on them a lot.”
That improvement becomes even more important without Achane. Miami no longer has its most explosive offensive weapon to turn small openings into big plays. Gordon and Wright will need the offensive line to create opportunities, while the two backs will need to prove they can capitalize on them.
Dolphins Focused on Moving Forward
Miami’s 0-3 start adds another layer to the challenge.
The Dolphins don’t have much time to dwell on their record or Achane’s absence. Wright said the message from head coach Jeff Hafley has been to keep the team’s attention inward rather than worrying about everything happening around them.
“It’s only about us,” Wright said. “That’s what our Coach preaches every day. It’s not about anybody else; it’s only about us.”
That means taking the season one practice and one game at a time.
For Gordon and Wright, however, the opportunity in front of them is obvious.
Achane leaves an enormous hole in Miami’s offense, and replacing everything he provided won’t fall on one player. But Gordon and Wright are now at the front of the line.
The Dolphins spent the offseason building a younger roster and emphasizing development. Now two of their young running backs will get an opportunity to show just how far they’ve come.
Gordon summed up their new responsibility simply: It’s time for him and Wright to become leaders and keep the Dolphins moving forward.
