Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is “pessimistic” about running back Raheem Mostert’s return from a chest injury on Sunday.
Mostert, 32, sustained the injury in the Week 1 win against Jacksonville and sat out last weekend’s loss to Buffalo. He has been limited in practice this week.
“I am an optimistic person and so I would say I’d be pessimistic that he’d play,” McDaniel told reporters on Friday. “Which is telling, but I can’t rule it out.”
Mostert’s expected absence — and the loss of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to injured reserve — likely means another heavy workload awaits running back De’Von Achane on Sunday against the host Seattle Seahawks.
Achane had 29 touches (22 carries, seven receptions) for 165 yards and one touchdown in the 31-10 loss against the Bills in Week 2.
Mostert rushed six times for 9 yards before leaving the season-opening 20-17 win over the Jaguars. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023 after posting his first 1,000-yard rushing season (1,012) and leading the NFL with 18 touchdowns on the ground.
Skylar Thompson will be the quarterback for the Dolphins (1-1) against the Seahawks (2-0), his first regular-season start since Week 18 of the 2022 campaign.