The Miami Dolphins dropped their third straight game to start the 2026 season on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs left South Florida with a 24-10 victory. The Dolphins showed some of the improvement and growth that is the top goal for the league’s youngest roster. Despite the loss, the game felt more like a team that could compete with some of the league’s top contenders this season.
The major issue for Miami coming out of the game is the injury to running back De’Von Achane. After the game, head coach Jeff Hafley said it “does not sound very optimistic” regarding the first-quarter injury that sidelined Achane for the rest of the game.
South Florida Sun Sentinel writer David Furones further explained of Achane’s status:
Achane will undergo follow-up testing Monday. Hafley declined to delve deeper into the possibility of Achane missing time in future weeks until he has an official timeline.
On the Dolphins’ first offensive drive and Achane’s third rushing attempt against the Chiefs, he took a carry up the left side for 11 yards. As Kansas City safety Alohi Gilman took Achane down, he grasped him by the top of the helmet, causing Achane’s body to twist while his left leg was planted.
Welcome to the Splash Zone, a collection of Dolphins stories from around the web curated for you each morning. Today’s edition focuses on the post-game stories for yesterday’s game, simply due to the number of articles posted. You can check out the Achane story and more right here:
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane exits Chiefs game with knee injury: ‘Does not sound very optimistic’ - David Furones, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane exited Sunday’s home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs early with a knee injury.
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Dolphins post-game updates
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Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 24-10 loss to Kansas City Chiefs - Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The Miami Dolphins were expected to get beaten convincingly by Kansas City on Sunday in their home opener at Hard Rock Stadium. That didn’t happen. Miami lost, 24-10, and although the Dolphins won’t be happy about the loss they can take solace in the way they played, which was promising.
Rookie WR Chris Bell makes plays for Dolphins vs. Chiefs - Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
The Miami Dolphins hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in their home opener, with 11 rookies dressed to play.
Five Instant Overreactions to Dolphins-Chiefs - Tyler DeSena, Miami Dolphins on SI
Miami fell 24-10 to Kansas City in Week 3
Dolphins hang tight with Chiefs, but ultimately drop home opener - David Furones, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The young Miami Dolphins are starting to show signs that there might be a future with this squad.
Dolphins vs. Chiefs revealed these 5 important developments - Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
Dolphins vs. Chiefs takeaways: Critical mistakes, injuries doom Miami in 24-10 loss - C. Isaiah Smalls, Miami Herald
Any time you have an opportunity to take out a giant, you best not miss.
Dolphins take baby steps forward in fourth-quarter loss to Chiefs - Omar Kelly, Miami Herald
Baby steps. That’s all we can ask for from this young Miami Dolphins team, at this point in the season, and that’s exactly what Jeff Hafley’s squad produced in the first home game of the 2026 season.
Dolphins Week 3 Instant Takeaways: Good Step Forward, Still Long Way To Go - Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
What stood out in the Miami Dolphins’ loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3
Dolphins vs. Chiefs revealed these 5 important developments - Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
The Miami Dolphins were looking to avoid an 0-3 start by upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs in their home opener at Hard Rock Stadium.
De’Von Achane injury
De’Von Achane knee injury: Miami Dolphins not optimistic on immediate future - Hal Habib, The Palm Beach Post
The news on a knee injury to Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, while not definitive, was about as bleak as it gets.
Dolphins’ Hafley offers troubling Achane update, sizes up loss to Chiefs - Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
The Dolphins are concerned about the severity of the knee injury sustained by star running back De’Von Achane, who left Sunday’s home opener for good in the first quarter.
Why and How the Dolphins Might Have to Move Forward Without De’Von Achane - Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
The Miami Dolphins star running back left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury
Dolphins 2027 draft
As Dolphins open 0-3, the Willis/Manning/draft QB/Jeremiah Smith questions loom - Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
You can admit it, Dolphins fans: When you watch Malik Willis, the question “Should the Dolphins use their first-round pick on a quarterback?” invariably comes to mind.
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ICYMI - The Phinsider News and Updates
Dolphins vs. Chiefs final score: 5 Immediate Reactions for Week 3 - Sumeet Jena, The Phinsider
Dolphins show fight, but come up in short against Chiefs in Week 3.
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Week 3 Pregame Injury Report
They kept me busy this week, lots of injuries all over, so without further ado, lets jump into it...
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Major injuries from past week to date:
GB starting WR Jayden Reed – Neck injury, unclear at the moment if he will play again this season
GB starting OT Zach Bako-Bewele – Patellar tendon tear, placed on IR
CHI starting QB Caleb Williams – Hamstring injury, ruled out for Week 3 from what I see
CHI backup QB Tyson Bagent - In concussion protocol
LAC backup TE David Njoku – Carted off with knee injury, placed on IR
NE starting OG Mike Onwenu – Broken ankle, placed on IR with
NE backup SAF Dell Pettus – Placed on IR
NE backup LB Quintayvious Hutchins - Placed on IR
WAS starting QB Jayden Daniels – Dislocated elbow, unlikely to need surgery
NYG starting QB Jaxson Dart – Knee injury requiring surgery, out for season
NYG starting OLB Brian Burns – Ankle injury, to miss time
SEA starting OG Anthony Bradford – Placed on IR for knee and hip injuries
SF backup DT CJ West – Bone chip in knee – Placed on IR
NO starting OT Kelvin Banks – Ankle injury requiring surgery, placed on IR
CIN starting WR Andrei Iosivas – Torn ligament in thumb, placed on IR
ARI starting CB Will Johnson – Neck injury, placed on IR
IND starting WR Alec Pierce – Heel injury (reaggravated), placed on IR
CAR backup RB Jonathan Brooks – Core muscle surgery, placed on IR
NYJ starting DT David Onyemata – Groin injury, placed on IR
NYJ backup LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball – Placed on IR
NYJ backup WR Arian Smith – Knee injury requiring surgery, placed on IR
NYJ starting TE Mason Taylor – Thumb injury, week-to-week, likely out Week 3
DET backup (temp. starting) DB Avonte Maddux – Foot injury requiring surgery, placed on IR
ATL starting CB AJ Terrell – Groin injury, placed on IR
PHI starting TE Dallas Goedert – MCL sprain, likely to miss a few weeks
SF starting DE Nick Bosa – Calf injury, expected to miss a few weeks.
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Dolphin's Outlook:
The Fins continue to slowly trend up going into their Week 3 game. I have them estimated with a score of 23.00, up 3.00 points from Week 2. Still well inside the good range. In 2025 their score was 39.75 so definitely still on a better trend this season health-wise.
Injuries By Position:
QB: No worries here
OL: No worries here
Skill Positions: WRs Chris Bell (knee) and Ryan Miller (hip/back) look good to go, WR Caleb Doublas (ankle) has been ruled out. RB Jaylen Wright (foot) is doubtful and TE Seydou Traore (thumb) looks good to go.
DL: Starting DT Kenneth Grant is on IR. The rest of the primary DL is healthy.
LB: EDGE Robert Beal (hamstring) has been ruled out while EDGE Chop Robinson has cleared concussion protocol.
DB: CB Juju Brents (knee) and CB Chris Johnson (shoulder) look good to go.
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Opponent's Outlook:
The Chiefs come to town after squeaking out a win in OT against the Colts. They are slightly more banged up than the Fins, but not by any appreciable amount. I have them estimated with a score of 25.00 for this game, up slightly from their 24.50 in Week 2.
They are much more banged up on defense than offense right now, especially their secondary
Injuries By Position:
QB: Mahomes is still listed with his knee after last year's ACL/LCL injury but he's been a full go every day.
OL: Starting LT Josh Simmons (back) has been out and backup Kahlil Benson has been taking his reps. The rest of the OL is healthy.
Skill Positions: Starting WR Rashee Rice (knee) is good to go. All other players look good.
DL: Backup DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (quadricep) and starting DT Chris Jones (calf) are both good to go.
LB: Starting LB Cooper McDonald is on IR. Backup Jack Cochrane (calf) is good to go.
DB: Starting CB Chamarri Conner (knee) is doubtful for the game. Starting CB L'Jarius Sneed (knee) is good to go as well as backups DB Jadon Canady (knee), CB Mansoor Delane (shoulder), and DB Jaden Hicks (bicep) are all good to go.
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I'll be rooting for a classic "any given Sunday" upset here! I'll follow up after the games are finished with the Post Game Injury Report with more information now that we are getting some weeks worth of data down.