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MIAMI
GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley met with reporters Monday (Sept. 28), shortly after reports came out that running back De'Von Achane was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Highlights:
- On Achane's injury: "My heart breaks for the guy. You talk about him as a great player but since I've gotten to know him, watching him grow and develop and earning the catkin role, becoming the leader of a team, becoming such great energy, such a great teammate, I mean, I just love his energy. I love his enthusiasm. I love his positivity."
- How to replace Achane? "Everybody has to step up, there are going to be great opportunities." Hafley mentions Ollie Gordon and Malik Washington.
- On if the scheme changes: "Anytime you lose one of the best players in this league, you're going to have to change a little bit."
- RB Jaylen Wright is day to day.
- Does the team still want to run? "That philosophy remains. I still want to run the football." Adds he has a lot of confidence in the backs.
- The team should know more on the schedule of Achane's surgery Tuesday.
- On DL Jordan Phillips: "I thought Jordan was outstanding yesterday." Phillips was "a huge part" of containing Kansas City's run game.
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- Hafley said he's pleased with DBs Michael Taaffe and Dante Trader Jr. from the K.C. game.
- On taking several fourth-down gambles: "That was a concerted effort yesterday." He wanted to control time of possession and keep the ball in Miami's hands. "That was part of our plan to win. We wanted to be aggressive."
- On the Chop Robinson roughing QB play: "Probably watched it a million times. ... I thought he hit him solid, square on, I thought he did his best to raise his hands and try to get out of the way."
- WR Caleb Douglas is day to day.
- Hafley said he takes each penalty against Miami on its own and coaches players through those moments individually, including the negated touchdown.
- On Malik Willis and sliding: "A lot of it is situational, if he has a chance in a key situation to get a first down by going forward, we want him going forward." But coaches don't want him taking unnecessary chances.
- Hafley said he thought Willis made better decisions against K.C. "Overall, he got better at his decision-making process and I think that will continue to improve."
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Jeff Hafley, on De'Von Achane: 'My heart breaks'
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