Kelly: Dolphins Backfield Belongs to Mostert

Only the Baltimore Ravens average more rushing yards (155.1) than Miami, and no team averages more yards per carry than the Dolphins.

And it’s not just Achane’s gaudy 11.8 yards per carry average that’s boosting those numbers. Mostert’s 5.3 yards per carry average ranks second in the NFL among qualifying running backs, and the 5.35 yards per carry he’s had in his nine-year career is the third-best in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) among running backs with at least 500 attempts.

Bo Jackson is good company to keep

Only Bo Jackson (5.40) and Jamaal Charles (5.38) have a higher career average.

That’s why the Dolphins need to focus on getting Mostert right, so they can continue to lean on him to balance out the offense in the second half of the season.

The Dolphins offense is at its best when there's balance, and Miami can't afford much more leakage.

“I’m always going to be ready. I believe that hopefully we’ll have my counterpart in Jeff Wilson back,” Mostert said, referring to Wilson, who was made inactive for the Raiders game because of a coach's decision. “It’s always the next man up and that’s the attitude you have to have.”

Fortunately for Miami, Mostert has always been the man at the front of the line when it comes to the tailback room.

The Dolphins spent a month waiting for Achane to come back from the knee injury he suffered in early October, hoping that the sensational rookie would inject more speed into this speed-oriented offense.

Upon his return from the knee injury, Achane contributed 5 total yards on two touches before re-injuring the same knee, which likely requires he be shut down/rested again, allowing the swelling and soreness to subside.

Even though Mike McDaniel described Achane as day-to-day on Monday, we all know that the Dolphins head coach is ultra cautious when it comes to injuries that could linger, with the goal of having Miami be at its best in December games, where playoff spots and seeding are on the line.

That means don’t expect Achane this Friday against the Jets, and he might be shelved more than just that one game.

“I would definitely not rule it out but I would definitely not rule it in either,” McDaniel said when asked about Achane’s status. “We’re just fresh off of a game and we have a short week, so it just kind of compounds the variables. But we’ll take it a day at a time and see how it progresses.”

Until Achane is healthy, the Dolphins likely will be forced to lean on Mostert, Wilson and Salvon Ahmed to carry the backfield.

But we all know who is going to be doing most of the heavy lifting, as he has all season. 

And it's quite impressive how much weight, and responsibility Mostert has been able to carry this season.