The Miami Dolphins were in danger of entering this afternoon’s Week 1 contest with neither one of their offense’s two biggest stars. De’Von Achane has been dealing with a calf injury sustained in Week 3 of the preseason. While wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been nursing an oblique injury for a similar amount of time. Both will be full participants against the Indianapolis Colts according to the 11:30 inactive report.
Notable inactives include tight end Darren Waller who will wait one more week to make his team debut after un-retiring this offseason.
Additionally, defensive tackle Zeek Biggers will miss the game. With no injury designation, Biggers is a healthy scratch.
Starting offensive guard James Daniels survived his questionable designation, dealing with an ankle injury, and receiver Dee Eskridge will also be active, surviving concussion protocol in time for week 1.
Quinn Ewers is listed as the team’s emergency quarterback.
Ollie Gordon Makes NFL Debut As Second RB
The Dolphins came into the preseason with a juiced running back room. But after a season ending injury for Alexander Mattison suffered in the first preseason game, and a knee injury from backup running back Jaylen Wright that might keep him sidelined till October, rookie Ollie Gordon II is set to play a big role in his NFL debut.
Drafted in the sixth round with the 179th overall selection, Gordon is a bruising back out of Oklahoma State. At OK State he was seen as a sure fire first round pick after his 1,700 yard 21 touchdown 2023 season. But after putting together just an 880 yard senior season, the running back fell on draft weekend.
Now he looks to prove that he is a first round talent and has a great opportunity to do so against an Indianapolis defense that was ranked 29th in total defense in 2024. The Colts allowed more than 130 rushing yards per game, allowing 18 rushing touchdowns on their way to an 8-9 record.
Dolphins Receiving Core At Full Strength
The Phins redefined offense when Mike McDaniels came to town bringing speed down the depth chart. With Tyreek healthy and fifth year receiver Jaylen Waddle ready to add a fourth 1,000 yard season to his resume, this unit is in good shape once again.
There is also much to be proud of as far as depth is concerned. The coaching staff has spoken highly of second year receiver Malik Washington. He impressed in the preseason, serving in a gadget sort of role hauling in a touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa in the final preseason game of the year. Listed as five feet eight inches tall, Washington ran a 4.4 forty at last year’s combine. I expect him to have a handful of receptions in the opening game of the season as the team looks to fill the void left by Jonnu Smith.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Dee Eskridge are also expected to receive a decent amount of snaps. Westbrook-Ikhine brings some much needed height, while Eskridge, who was also listed as questionable coming in, will build on the speed theme.
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