MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel did not want to commit to having either running back De’Von Achane or right guard Robert Hunt play Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but he offered updates on their respective statuses from injury.
After Achane was designated to return Monday, marking his return to practice while on injured reserve for a knee ailment sustained more than a month ago, signs have pointed up for him as he was back at drills after the minimum four-game absence on IR.
“I do know that he really wants to play. He’s shown that,” McDaniel said ahead of Wednesday’s practice, Achane’s second since being injured Oct. 8 against the New York Giants. “We feel good about where he’s headed. If he’s ready to roll for this game, he’ll play.”
McDaniel noted that Achane “checked all the boxes” in a light Monday practice, which wasn’t padded with tackling involved and that the rookie phenom “looked like a pro.”
“He’s come a long way in a short amount of time,” McDaniel said. “It feels like he’s not a rookie within the locker room.”
Achane, in four games as a rookie, has 460 yards and five touchdowns on 38 rushing attempts for a whopping 12.1 yards-per-carry average. He also has two receiving touchdowns. In the Sept. 24 win over the Denver Broncos, Achane burst onto the NFL scene with four total touchdowns and 203 rushing yards.
The Dolphins have Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Salvon Ahmed at tailback, should Achane not make his return Sunday at home against the Raiders.
Hunt, who missed the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 5 in Germany with a hamstring injury, did not practice Wednesday after McDaniel said he and fellow offensive lineman Robert Jones (knee) are week to week.
McDaniel said Hunt is “like a cat being in water” with how unfamiliar the usually healthy guard is with dealing with injuries.
Hunt worked on the side of Wednesday drills with trainers.
“I could see him playing in this game, I could see him playing in the next game,” McDaniel said of Hunt.
Jones was not seen at Wednesday practice. Without either of them, the Dolphins would likely start some combination of Lester Cotton and Liam Eichenberg at left and right guard.
The Dolphins also worked out a number of offensive guards Tuesday, including veteran former All-Pro Andrew Norwell. McDaniel said that was about the organization getting ahead of different scenarios where they may reach out to a free agent. Miami also worked out fellow guards Colby Gossett and Wes Martin, along with defensive backs Bubba Bolden (a Miami Hurricanes alum), Dane Cruishank and A.J. Moore.
Along with Hunt and Jones, Dolphins not seen during a media viewing portion of Thursday’s practice were tight end Durham Smythe, wide receivers Braxton Berrios and Chase Claypool and fullback Alec Ingold.
The team will release its first injury report of the week later Wednesday.
This story will be updated.
