Phins pass on Robinson despite injuries to Achane and Wright
As the Miami Dolphins 2025 Training Camp winds down questions mount about the depth and reliability of their running back room due to injuries. With De’von Achane, Jaylen Wright both sidelined with injuries and Alexander Mattison done for the year, Miami faces an early-season concern in a backfield that was expected to be deep.
Typical Dolphins luck.
The good news is rookie Ollie Gordon II has shown flashes of promise in his preseason action and both Achane and Wright re expected to return. But the Phins were serious players to acquire Washington Commander’s running back Brian Robinson in a trade until they hit the wall of a lacking a 6th Round pick and refusing to give up a 5th. So, the Dolphins brass is clearly concerned about their running back group on some level, should fans be as well?
Achane’s quick return is critical
Achane, Miami’s electric speedster, provides explosive potential in the open field, but his smaller frame has always limited his short-yardage effectiveness and has a sizable history of injuries. Wright, meanwhile, offers size and power, but has struggled this training camp. Both injuries leave the Dolphins with few proven options for Week 1 if they aren’t a 100%. The combination of these factors raises legitimate questions about the team’s ability to sustain a balanced offensive attack, especially against stout defenses early in the season. The Dolphins front office appears to agree and might be why they made serious overtures to Washington for Robinson.
Of course, maybe the Phins brass figured the 49ers, who acquired Robinson, would cut former Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson and he could be their fallback option. I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting a tingle up my leg over bringing Wilson back.
Ollie Gordon to the rescue?
Despite these concerns, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Rookie Gordon has demonstrated power and vision in this preseason. Gordon brings clear value as he is an excellent pass blocker, which neither Achane nor Wright is. On the flipside, Gordon hasn’t faced a starting squad and is a rookie, so there will be rookie mistakes, which we can’t afford. But maybe Achane and Wright will return to full health by Week 1, and Gordon can easy his way into the role? Even if they aren’t 100%, Mike McDaniel could carefully manage workloads and integrate them with Gordon in the running game to get both injure backs in sooner by giving them both lighter loads?
As the preseason progresses, all eyes will be on the Dolphins’ running backs. Can the rookies step up? Will Achane and Wright return at full strength? And should Miami reconsider adding a veteran presence to solidify their backfield? You can bet with the best pay per head that how the Dolphins address these questions will go a long way in determining whether this 2025 gets off to a fast start or not.