1 of 4 | Miami Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II (31) should see more playing time due to injuries at the position. Photo by the Miami Dolphins
Rookie Ollie Gordon II is eager to flaunt his physicality, modeled after Derrick Henry. A rash of Miami Dolphins running back injuries has thrown him in the spotlight.
Gordon showed off the downright abusive tone of his tenacious totes several times at a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday in Miami Gardens. He often bolted through arm tackles before getting outside.
He exclaimed one run by lowering himself and smashing over a defender.
“That was fun,” Gordon said afterward at the Baptist Health Training Complex.
The sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was listed as the fourth running back on the Dolphins’ initial, unofficial depth chart. Since then, the Dolphins third-string running back Alexander Mattison sustained a season-ending neck injury and starter De’Von Achane sustained a calf injury.
On Thursday, second-string option Jaylen Wright limped out of practice early. That could leave Gordon, Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin as the only fully healthy running backs on the Dolphins’ roster. Gordon took the majority of first-team reps at Thursday’s session.
Rook's first touchdown
Let's gooo @Ollie_Gordon2! pic.twitter.com/YmRLIEnk05— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 10, 2025
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has rested Achane for more than a week of practice and sat him out for their second preseason game against the Detroit Lions. On Thursday, Achane and star wide receiver Tyreek Hill were among the Dolphins players who were not in uniform, but they watched practice from the sidelines.
Wright was bottled up for just four carries for 3 yards against the Lions while Gordon totaled 50 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 9 yards.
The rookie totaled 72 yards from scrimmage and a score on nine touches in the Dolphins’ preseason-opening tie with the Chicago Bears. Wright totaled 16 yards and a score on nine carries in that meeting.
Gordon said he still needs to work on pass protection, but he sees improvement in that area. With so much to consider, including learning an expansive McDaniel playbook, Achane reminded the rookie to keep things simple.
“He told me to get the ball and run down hill,” Gordon said of Achane. “He always tells me: ‘you are a bigger, physical back. Those folks don’t want to tackle you.'”
Even with Achane and Wright in the Dolphins’ lineup, McDaniel still planned to use all of his playmakers to keep defenses off-balance.
“Ultimately, dispersion of the football is the most powerful weapon you can do against any defense,” McDaniel said. “So whether that’s using or changing running backs or keeping them fresh or distributing it among the other four eligibles on each offensive play, that’s what we are looking for.
“We want a team not to know how we are going to attack them and utilize their weaknesses to our strengths.”
McDaniel, who touted Achane’s ownership of the playbook, said he believes the Dolphins still have enough proven experience at the running back position.
“Thus-far, the growth is where it’s needed to be at,” McDaniel said. “The key is that it can’t flatline. That’s what makes this NFL game hard, particularly for young players ascending. My expectation is that they continue to grow each practice.”
The Dolphins had the No. 6 rushing offense in the NFL in 2023, when Achane averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie and veteran Raheem Mostert totaled 1,012 rushing yards and a league-best 21 touchdowns. They also had the top passing game and No. 1 overall offense that season.
Miami slipped to the No. 18 offense, including the No. 15 passing attack and No. 21 running game in 2024.
Moments like these
Listen in on our #NFLDraft calls to Ollie Gordon II, Quinn Ewers, and Zeek Biggers pic.twitter.com/DyLvz95vbE— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 27, 2025
Gordon, listed at 6-foot-2, 225-pounds, said he is focused on getting Dolphins veterans to trust him. He uses his tough runs to mirror how hard his teammates are blocking for him to create lanes.
“At the end of the day, I’m just doing what’s best for the team,” Gordon said. “Special teams, anything, I’m here for it. Whatever team you need me to do, I’m here for.”
The Dolphins will host the Jaguars in their preseason finale at 7 p.m. EDT Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla. They will take on the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener Sept. 7 in Indianapolis.
