Raiders game starts Dolphins’ final stretch run of season, which will get a boost by return of electrifying rookie De’Von Achane

MIAMI GARDENS — Usually when a rookie returns to the lineup it’s not a big deal. But usually a rookie doesn’t average 12.1 yards per carry, fueling both his team and fantasy teams nationwide.

So when Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane makes his expected return to the field against the Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, it’ll be a big deal.

Achane has spent the past four games on the injured reserve list as a result of a knee injury he sustained against the New York Giants. He’s expected to be officially activated Saturday afternoon after returning to practice this past week.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Friday they’re being patient but are “encouraged” by the situation.

Think of Achane’s return as spraying jet fuel on a fire as Miami, the league’s No. 1 offense at 435.3 yards per game, begins this final eight-week stretch of the regular season. 

“We break it down in quarters,” running back Raheem Mostert said of the 17-game regular-season. “We’re on our third quarter right now. We got Vegas, we got the Jets twice and so we’re just trying to maximize each and every week and try to get these wins.”

Achane, the speed-burning third-round pick from Texas A&M, has 460 yards rushing and five touchdowns in four head-turning games. But what really elevates him is his big-play ability.

Achane has six runs of 15 or more yards among his 38 carries. Further, he has five runs of 25 yards or more, and three runs of 50 yards or more.

Achane’s return would mark a huge step in Miami being as healthy as it’s been since Day One of training camp, the day before All Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey went down with a knee injury.

Ramsey has been back for the previous two games, and he’s joined Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard (recovered from groin injury), nickel/slot Kader Kohou and safeties Jevon Holland (recovered from concussion) and DeShon Elliott to form what could become the best secondary in the NFL.  

In front of them are edge rushers Jaelan Phillips (recovered from back and oblique injuries) and Bradley Chubb and defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler.

Miami’s defense is ranked 12th in the league, allowing 322.4 yards per game. There’s a thought the Dolphins’ defense could be a top five unit in the league for the remainder of the season.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio sees the potential for his guys.

“We just need to be as good as we can be and not really get caught up in statistics,” Fangio said. “But I do think we are headed in the right direction. We have most of our guys back now. We went through our share of the injuries early in the year. I’m optimistic moving forward.”

Offensively, the line remains banged up with right guard Rob Hunt (hamstring) ailing. But Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) is healthy, and Achane should return and join fellow running backs Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. (recently activated from IR list), and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (recovered from concussion and back injury) on a unit led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Adding Achane to the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense (31.7 points per game) is almost a talent overload.

He joins a Miami rushing game led by Mostert, a big-play threat himself, that averages 147.9 yards per game, tied for second in the league. It’s facing a Las Vegas’ run defense that allows 135.6 yards per game, 29th in the league.

Do the math.

And while you’re at it, here’s some more other relevant numbers.

The first-place Dolphins (6-3) can extend their lead over Buffalo (5-5) in the AFC East with a victory, and improve their conference record to 5-2, something that could be significant as Miami battles for the No. 1 seed and/or home playoff games.

At 5-2 against AFC opponents, the Dolphins would only trail Kansas City (7-2), which is 5-1 in the AFC with a head-to-head victory over Miami. Kansas City won’t lose any ground in conference games this week because it hosts Philadelphia, an NFC team.

With a 5-2 record in AFC games the Dolphins could be tied for second-best in the AFC along with Jacksonville (4-2 in the conference), which hosts Tennessee on Sunday, and either Cleveland or Pittsburgh, who are both 4-2 in the AFC and play each other on Sunday in Cleveland.

This final eight-game stretch and the playoff run will be some of the most anticipated games for this franchise in years, perhaps decades.

And as a reminder, if you miss any of it, Hard Knocks will be there to document it on film.