After a Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Miami Dolphins head into a divisional match against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.
The Dolphins were slow to get going against the Jags, but 100-plus-yard receiving games from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle helped them on the way to a 20-17 win.
But while the aerial threat of Hill and Waddle will give the Bills defense a lot to think about on Thursday, the rushing game could be significantly impacted.
Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane proved to be one of the NFL's best running-back duos in 2023.
Mostert's 21 touchdowns in 2023 was equaled only by Christian McCaffrey, while Achane's 7.8 yards per carry was 2.3 yards higher than any other player in the NFL with more than 50 rushing attempts on the season.
Mostert had a quiet game against Jacksonville in Week 1 of this season, and although Achane averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on the ground, he did score a rushing touchdown and add 76 receiving yards off seven receptions.
Against Buffalo, however, the Dolphins could be without both their lead backs.
Mostert has been officially ruled out of the game with a chest injury, while Achane is expected to be a game-time decision after suffering an ankle injury.
"Mostert, no. Achane, we'll see how it plays out," said Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel when assessing the availability of the pair for Thursday night.
"Thursday night games... typically we don't have padded practice until Thursdays because typically after an NFL game on Wednesday guys are still working through ailments.
"There's several guys that we will be feeling out and we'll have to go from there.
"In a short week it's tricky, you kind of don't know until they're at the stadium [if they will play]."
If Achane is also ruled out of the game, the Dolphins will turn to veteran Jeff Wilson and rookie Jaylen Wright to provide a threat on the ground.
After a 860-yard, five touchdown, season in 2022, Wilson only notched up 41 rushing attempts in 2023, while Wright is yet to play a snap in the NFL.
It would leave Miami in a difficult position against the reigning AFC East champions, who held James Connor to just 3.1 yards a carry in their Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
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