2026 NFL Week 3 Injury Highlight DeVon Achane

De’Von Achane’s Week 3 ACL Injury: What Happened and What Does Recovery Look Like?

NFL running backs are constantly asked to accelerate, decelerate, cut, jump, and change direction at full speed. These explosive movements place tremendous demands on the knee, particularly the ligaments responsible for keeping the joint stable.

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane experienced a devastating knee injury during Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season. Achane suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Miami’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The injury occurred early in the game and ultimately ended Achane’s 2026 season. His injury provides an opportunity to explain what happened, what an ACL tear means, how it is treated, and what rehabilitation may look like as he works toward returning to football.

What Happened to De’Von Achane?

Achane was injured during Miami’s opening drive against Kansas City. On an 11-yard rushing attempt, Achane planted his left leg and attempted to change direction. His leg gave way underneath him during the play. The injury was described as non-contact, meaning the primary injury mechanism occurred from the movement itself rather than a direct blow to the knee.

Achane was able to walk off the field under his own power and was evaluated in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room. He was initially listed as questionable to return but was eventually ruled out.

At the time, Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley indicated that the injury did not look optimistic. Further evaluation confirmed the severity of the injury: Achane had torn the ACL in his left knee. Miami subsequently placed Achane on injured reserve, ending his 2026 season.

What Is the ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament, commonly called the ACL, is one of four major ligaments in the knee. Ligaments connect bones to other bones and help provide stability to a joint. The ACL connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and plays an important role in controlling forward movement and rotation of the lower leg.

The ACL is particularly important for athletes who participate in sports requiring:

• Cutting, pivoting, jumping, landing, sudden changes in direction, rapid acceleration and deceleration

For a running back like Achane, the ACL is extremely important because these movements happen repeatedly and at very high speeds.

How Does an ACL Tear Happen?

An ACL tear can occur through either contact or non-contact mechanisms. Non-contact ACL injuries are common in sports. They can occur when an athlete plants the foot and attempts to rapidly change direction while the knee experiences a combination of rotational and forward forces.  Importantly, an ACL injury does not necessarily require a dramatic collision. Sometimes the athlete simply plants, cuts, and feels the knee give way.

How Is an ACL Tear Diagnosed?

A healthcare professional will begin with a physical examination. The examination may include tests designed to evaluate ACL stability, including the Lachman test and other ligament tests. The provider may also assess:

• Knee swelling, range of motion, pain, ability to bear weight, knee stability, strength, walking mechanics

An MRI is commonly used to confirm an ACL tear and evaluate the rest of the knee. This is important because ACL injuries can occur alongside other injuries, including meniscus tears, cartilage damage, or injuries to other knee ligaments. In Achane’s case, subsequent testing confirmed the torn ACL.

Does Every ACL Tear Require Surgery?

Treatment depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, activity level, degree of instability, associated injuries, and personal goals. Some individuals with ACL injuries can successfully participate in lower-demand activities with rehabilitation alone.

For a professional football player like Achane, however, the demands of the sport are very different. NFL running backs must be able to sprint, cut, absorb contact, and rapidly change direction. For athletes who want to return to high-level pivoting sports, ACL reconstruction surgery is commonly considered.

As of the latest reports, Achane had been placed on injured reserve and surgery was being planned; the procedure had not yet been confirmed as completed.

What Does ACL Rehabilitation Look Like?

ACL rehabilitation is a long-term process. Whether or not surgery is performed, the primary goals are to restore knee motion, strength, stability, coordination, and confidence. When ACL reconstruction is performed, rehabilitation generally progresses through several stages.

Phase 1: Reduce Swelling and Restore Motion

Immediately following an ACL injury or surgery, the knee may be swollen and stiff. Early rehabilitation focuses on:

• Controlling swelling, restoring knee extension, gradually restoring knee flexion, activating the quadriceps, improving walking mechanics, maintaining mobility in the rest of the leg

Regaining full knee extension is particularly important because difficulty fully straightening the knee can interfere with walking and future athletic movement.

Phase 2: Rebuild Strength

As the knee becomes less painful and mobility improves, strengthening becomes a major focus. The quadriceps are especially important following an ACL injury. Rehabilitation may include exercises such as:

• Straight-leg raises, squats, step-ups, leg presses, hamstring strengthening, calf strengthening, hip strengthening

Strengthening the hip and core is also important because the entire lower extremity works together during running and cutting.

Phase 3: Balance and Neuromuscular Control

ACL rehabilitation isn’t just about making the muscles stronger. The athlete also needs to regain the ability to control the leg during movement. Physical therapists may incorporate:

• Single-leg balance, dynamic balance, landing mechanics, step-down exercises, single-leg strengthening, agility preparation, neuromuscular control exercises

These exercises teach the athlete how to properly control the knee when the body is moving quickly or unexpectedly.

Phase 4: Running and Plyometrics

Once sufficient strength and control have been restored, rehabilitation can progress toward running. This typically starts with controlled jogging and gradually progresses toward:

• Faster running, acceleration, deceleration, jumping, landing, hopping, bounding, change-of-direction drills

Plyometric training is particularly important for athletes because football requires the ability to rapidly generate and absorb force.

Phase 5: Sport-Specific Training

The final stages of ACL rehabilitation focus on preparing the athlete for the demands of their sport. For Achane, this means much more than simply being able to run. A running back needs to be able to:

• Explode through the line of scrimmage, accelerate quickly, cut at high speeds, change direction, jump and land, absorb contact, maintain balance through tackles, react to unpredictable movements

Rehabilitation therefore becomes increasingly specific to football as the athlete gets closer to returning to competition.

How Long Does ACL Recovery Take?

ACL rehabilitation is measured in months, not weeks. Recovery time varies depending on the individual, the surgical procedure, associated injuries, rehabilitation progress, and the demands of the sport.

For a professional football player, returning to competition requires much more than simply having a healed ligament. The athlete must demonstrate adequate:

• Strength, range of motion, balance, power, agility, neuromuscular control, running ability, jumping and landing mechanics, sport-specific performance

The athlete also needs to regain confidence in the injured leg. Because Achane’s ACL injury occurred early in the 2026 season, his rehabilitation will extend well beyond the remainder of the current NFL season. The Dolphins have confirmed that he will miss the rest of the 2026 season.

Why Is ACL Rehabilitation So Important?

One of the biggest mistakes an athlete can make after an ACL injury is focusing only on when they can return rather than how well they are prepared to return. Returning before adequate strength, control, and confidence have been restored can increase the risk of reinjury.

A successful ACL rehabilitation program is therefore about more than checking a box that says an athlete is “cleared.” The goal is to make sure the athlete is physically and mentally prepared for the demands of their sport.

What Can We Learn From De’Von Achane’s Injury?

Achane’s injury is an important reminder that ACL tears can happen to even the strongest and fastest athletes in the world. His injury occurred during a routine football movement—a plant and change of direction—rather than from a major collision.

It also demonstrates why knee injuries should be evaluated when an athlete experiences a sudden “giving way” sensation, significant swelling, instability, or difficulty continuing an activity. Early evaluation can help identify the injury and establish the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan.

The Bottom Line

De’Von Achane’s Week 3 ACL injury is a difficult setback for one of the NFL’s most explosive young running backs. His recovery will require patience and a comprehensive rehabilitation program focused on restoring mobility, strength, balance, stability, power, agility, and sport-specific function.

For professional athletes and everyday patients alike, ACL rehabilitation is a process—not a single exercise or treatment.

The ultimate goal is not simply to get the knee feeling better. The goal is to restore function and confidence so the patient can safely return to the activities that matter most to them.

Recovering From an ACL or Knee Injury?

At Portsmouth Physical Therapy, we work with athletes and patients of all activity levels recovering from knee injuries, surgery, and other orthopedic conditions.

Physical therapy can help you restore strength, mobility, balance, coordination, and confidence throughout the recovery process. Whether you’re trying to return to competitive sports or simply get back to your normal daily activities, an individualized rehabilitation program can help you move forward.

Don’t let a knee injury keep you on the sidelines. Contact Portsmouth Physical Therapy to schedule an evaluation and take the next step toward getting back to doing what you love.