The Miami Dolphins are desperate to get off the schneid.
At 0-3, Miami will head to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday looking to finally get into the win column against the Minnesota Vikings. But the Dolphins will have to do it without Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With Achane sidelined, here are three things to watch in Sunday’s game:
Dolphins offensive line vs. Vikings pass rush
Miami’s offensive line has a brutal assignment.
The Vikings lead the NFL in blitz rate, at 71% through the first three games of the 2026 season. And with Brian Flores — who coached the Dolphins from 2019-21 — running Minnesota’s defense, the Vikings have been relentless in getting after opposing quarterbacks.
In addition to their league-leading blitz rate, the Vikings have the highest pressure rate (46.7%) of any team in a season since 2018, according to Next Gen Stats.
That’s bad news for a Dolphins offensive line that has already allowed nine sacks through three games.
Flores’ defense leads the NFL with 14 sacks, meaning Miami’s offensive line will have to deliver its best performance of the season if the Dolphins want to keep Malik Willis upright and give the offense a chance on the road.
Running back position after Achane’s injury
The Dolphins suddenly have a massive hole in their backfield.
Without Achane, Miami will likely turn to a committee featuring Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II. The problem? Neither has established himself as a proven NFL running back after spending most of their careers behind Achane.
Wright missed last weekend’s game against the Chiefs because of a stinger and foot injury. With Wright sidelined, Gordon carried the load, rushing 17 times for 41 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City.
Now, Gordon and Wright will be asked to replace the production of one of Miami’s most explosive offensive weapons.
It won’t be easy. The Vikings have the NFL’s fourth-stingiest rushing defense, allowing just 85.7 yards per game on the ground.
Don’t be surprised if the Dolphins elevate either Jarquez Hunter or Carlos Washington Jr. from the practice squad. Miami could also get creative and use wide receiver Malik Washington as a runner in certain packages to keep Minnesota’s defense guessing.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Can Malik Willis carry the offense?
With Achane gone and questions surrounding the running game, more pressure will fall on Willis.
His decision-making hasn’t been particularly poor through three games, but the Dolphins need their quarterback to protect the football against one of the NFL’s most aggressive defenses.
Willis has three turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble — along with just two touchdowns (one throwing and one rushing) this season. With Achane no longer available to provide explosive plays, Willis will also need to use his legs to create offense when opportunities arise.
And he’ll have to do it without rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, who will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury suffered in Miami’s Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Dolphins have already lost Achane. They can’t afford to lose the turnover battle, too. If Miami wants to escape Minnesota with its first win, Willis and the offense will have to survive the Vikings’ pressure — because there won’t be many easy yards available.
