Ollie Gordon II is about to get a much bigger chance to show what he can do.
The Miami Dolphins are heading into Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Chiefs with Jaylen Wright listed as doubtful, and that opens the door for Gordon to step into a more meaningful role. With De'Von Achane still needing to be spelled from time to time, the Dolphins may have no choice but to lean on Gordon’s legs.
Through two games this season, Gordon has been the primary backup, but his workload has been light. That should change with Wright out of the picture, because those extra snaps have to go somewhere, and they’re likely headed his way.
Gordon brings a more physical style than finesse. He runs with force, and that toughness helps him, but it can also work against him when open lanes are there to be found. Against Kansas City, he’ll need sharper vision if he’s going to make the most of the opportunities that come his way.
The numbers show why this matters. Gordon has played 19 games and made one start in his career, but he’s rushed for just 206 yards on 73 carries, a 2.8-yard average.
He’s added seven catches for 32 yards and has four combined touchdowns. His best stretches have come when he’s given more than a couple of touches, because he’s clearly a back who benefits from getting into a rhythm.
That’s been tough to establish behind Achane, and at times behind Wright as well last season. But Sunday sets up differently. Against the Chiefs, it’s just Gordon and Achane in the backfield.
The Dolphins also announced Saturday that Clelin Ferrell and Liam Anderson were elevated from the practice squad, while neither Carlos Washington Jr. nor Jarquez Hunter was added to the active roster.
With only two healthy running backs on the active roster, Jeff Hafley has to be careful not to overload Achane. That makes Gordon’s readiness even more important, because Miami may need him to handle a real workload.
Wright’s absence also adds another layer to the situation. He’s in the final year of his contract and could choose to test free agency instead of staying with Miami.
He has flashed at times, but inconsistency has been part of the package. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Dolphins didn’t move him before the NFL trade deadline in November, either, especially since he likely wouldn’t bring much back in return.
In Other News...
Dolphins Fans Have Another Reason To Be Furious With Chiefs Officiating
A controversial no-call in the Chiefs-Dolphins game is adding more fuel to a grievance Miami fans already know well. On a recent tackle, a Kansas City defender was seen pulling on Malik Willis helmet, yet officials let the play stand without a flag, turning a routine snap into another flashpoint in a rivalry that seems to bring out every officiating complaint imaginable.
For Dolphins supporters, the frustration was immediate because the contact looked obvious enough to invite a penalty and the silence from the officials only deepened the suspicion. Plays like that tend to linger long after the game ends, especially when they feed the larger belief around the league that Kansas City gets the benefit of the doubt more often than most teams. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Suddenly Have A Good Problem Up Front
Through three weeks, Miami has managed to keep its run defense sturdy even without Kenneth Grant, who is on injured reserve and could be back after Week 4. The Dolphins have patched the interior with Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers and Keith Cooper Jr., while rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and veteran Jordyn Brooks have helped keep the front seven organized and active against the run.
Grants return would give the Dolphins another option up front, but it also raises a real personnel question for a defense that has found a workable rhythm without him. His rookie season was uneven, and the bigger issue now is figuring out where he fits if the current group keeps holding its own once he is cleared to rejoin the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Fans Had Every Reason To Hate This Chiefs Break
When the Dolphins were trying to claw their way back into the game against Kansas City in Week 3, a roughing-the-passer call on Chop Robinson changed the feel of the moment in an instant. The hit on Patrick Mahomes extended the Chiefs drive, and Miami watched the sequence end with three points instead of a stop that could have helped shift momentum.
It was the sort of break that left Dolphins fans grinding their teeth, especially in a game Kansas City controlled from there. The Chiefs won 24-10, with Mahomes completing 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, and Miami was left to wonder how different things might have felt without one costly flag in a key spot. [Read more 🡒]