Is De'Von Achane playing tonight? Dolphins RB's status explored for MNF game vs Titans

The Miami Dolphins host the Tennessee Titans on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in what is teetering on a must-win game territory for both teams. The home team is 1-2, while the visitors are 0-3, and both need a victory to keep their playoff dream alive.

The Dolphins aren't too far off the pace in the race for the AFC East title. The Buffalo Bills' surprise blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football saw them drop to 3-1. A win on Monday night against the Titans will leave the Dolphins only a game behind the division leaders.

However, the Bills beat them in Week 2 and currently hold the tiebreaker. A loss against the Titans will leave the Dolphins essentially three games behind in the race for the division title.

To make matters worse, they'll have to beat the Titans without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who's still in concussion protocol. Backup Skylar Thompson is nursing a rib injury, forcing the Dolphins to turn to third-stringer Tyler Huntley, whom they signed off the Ravens' practice squad last week.

Given their quarterback situation, the Dolphins will likely rely heavily on their ground game, especially running back De'Von Achane, who missed six games last year due to injuries but has had a clean bill of health in his sophomore season.

---

Will De'Von Achane play in Week 4 vs. Titans?

Achane's name hasn't appeared on the Dolphins' injury report throughout the week, suggesting he will play in his team's clash against the Titans on Monday night. The second-year running back has emerged as a key player on offense this season.

Through three games, he has 150 rushing yards and one touchdown on 43 carries. While he has been critical in the ground game, he has done his best work this year as a receiver out of the backfield. He has 17 catches on 19 targets for 173 yards and one touchdown. He's only 24 yards away from tying his receiving yards total from his rookie season.

With Tagovailoa and Thompson out, the Dolphins will bank heavily on Achane eating up yards as a rusher and giving Huntley an easy check-down option in the open field.

The Titans' defense has given up 124.3 rushing yards on average in their first three games this season. Expect Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to use Huntley's ability as a ball carrier and Achane to exploit that weakness on Monday night.