Dolphins sign Carlos Washington Jr. and elevate two defenders for Minnesota

Saturday, October 3 update

Miami signed Carlos Washington Jr. from the practice squad to its active roster Saturday, adding a third running back before Sunday's game at Minnesota. The Dolphins also elevated defensive lineman Mazi Smith and edge Rodney McGraw for the game.

Washington joins Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II in the backfield after De'Von Achane's season-ending knee injury. The Dolphins' announcement confirms a permanent active-roster signing rather than a standard elevation, giving Miami another running back available for the Vikings game.

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David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that Washington was competing with practice-squad back Jarquez Hunter for the addition. Coach Jeff Hafley said Friday that both had practiced well and that the team might eventually need both. Saturday's transaction identifies Washington as the player added for this week.

Hafley described the two reserves as similar options who can catch passes and handle pass protection. Those comments explain the duties Miami considered while adding depth behind Wright and Gordon. They do not establish a workload for Washington or change the two backs already ahead of him in the group.

Washington initially signed with Miami May 21 and spent part of the offseason program and training camp with the Dolphins. He has appeared in two NFL games, both with Atlanta across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He originally entered the league with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and also spent time on their practice squad.

The defensive additions address separate parts of Miami's front. Smith joined the practice squad September 1 after three seasons with Dallas and the New York Jets. The Dolphins list him with 42 career appearances, 20 starts, 57 tackles and two sacks. Furones reported that Miami was adding tackle depth while Kenneth Grant remained on injured reserve.

McGraw signed with Miami as an undrafted rookie in May after finishing his college career at Western Michigan. He recorded eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss over his final two college seasons. His elevation gives the Dolphins another edge option with Rob Beal Jr. ruled out Friday because of a hamstring injury, according to Furones.

The running-back signing and defensive elevations are completed transactions before the trip to Minnesota. Washington strengthens the roster behind Wright and Gordon; Smith and McGraw add choices along the defensive front. Miami has not announced starting assignments or snap counts for the additions.

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Earlier reporting retained; Saturday status above supersedes earlier availability

Miami's running back depth became an immediate roster question Sunday when De'Von Achane left the Chiefs game with a knee injury. The Dolphins' official update, reproduced by FantasyPros downgraded him to out during the second half. The club has not announced a diagnosis, a recovery timetable or a Week 4 designation. For now, the verified fact is narrower: Achane could not finish the 24-10 loss.

Achane had three carries for 17 yards before the injury. Associated Press reporting says he was injured on an 11-yard first-quarter run, walked slowly to the sideline and then went to the locker room. His absence matters beyond one game: AP says he signed a four-year, $64 million extension this year and rushed for a career-high 1,350 yards in 2025. Miami built much of its offense around that production.

Ollie Gordon II became the lead runner after Achane left. That was not a clean, permanent handoff. AP reported Gordon had a career-high 14 carries by the midpoint of the third quarter, then also left because of cramps. He was the only other running back active for Miami on Sunday. CBS Sports reported that the Dolphins used wide receiver Malik Washington in the backfield while Gordon was unavailable. Those game-day adjustments show how little healthy running back depth Miami had dressed, but they do not establish next week's active roster.

For RSO fantasy managers, Gordon is the obvious name to monitor because he received the work once Achane departed. His Sunday opportunity should not be mistaken for a confirmed starter role in Week 4. Miami can reassess Achane and Gordon, activate another back, or change its game-day plan before its next kickoff. The next club injury report and transaction notices will carry more weight than an in-game touch count.

The decision point is simple: hold off on assigning Achane an absence length, then track whether he practices and whether Miami adds a healthy runner to the 53-man or game-day group. Sunday's exit made Gordon relevant; it did not settle the backfield for the rest of the season.