Dolphins Rookie Ollie Gordon II Still Waiting for Bigger Role
The Miami Dolphins’ rookie running back, Ollie Gordon II, has been the subject of plenty of fan chatter after the team’s 0-2 start. Despite flashing potential during the preseason, Gordon’s role has remained very limited in the regular season. Against the Patriots in Week 2, he logged just a single rushing attempt for eight yards and caught one short pass for five yards in Miami’s 33-27 loss. Even with Jaylen Wright sidelined due to injury, Gordon was kept mostly on the sidelines as De’Von Achane carried the bulk of the load.
Head coach Mike McDaniel was asked why Gordon hasn’t been given more opportunities, and his response was telling. He explained that the plan going into the game was for Gordon to see more snaps, but the game script changed quickly. Once Miami fell behind early, the offense was forced into a pass-heavy approach, and the rookie’s chances dried up. In fact, the Dolphins have run the ball fewer times than any team in the league so far this season. When you’re playing from behind almost immediately, running the ball becomes less of a priority, which makes it harder for a young back like Gordon to earn touches.
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Still, there have been bright spots in Gordon’s limited action. McDaniel highlighted that his blocking was impressive on one particular play, where he cleared space that allowed fellow rookie Malik Washington to pick up extra yardage. That kind of contribution doesn’t show up in the box score, but coaches notice it. At six-foot-two and 225 pounds, Gordon brings a physical style that could become valuable if he continues to master the responsibilities that come without the ball in his hands—things like blocking and executing complex pre-snap motions. Of course, he’s still a rookie, and that showed when he committed a false start penalty late in the game, a mistake that stalled momentum at a critical moment.
For now, Gordon’s path to more playing time remains unclear. If Wright returns from injury soon, the rookie’s touches could become even harder to come by. But the Dolphins insist that they do want him more involved, and McDaniel even suggested that the original plan was for him to play about twice as many snaps as he actually did against New England. That gives some hope that if Miami can avoid falling into early deficits, Gordon may see a bigger role unfold.
The Dolphins spent much of the offseason talking about recommitting to their running game. Through two weeks, that has yet to happen, but Thursday night’s matchup against the Bills could provide a turning point. If the team can stay competitive early and keep the score close, Gordon’s number may be called more often. Fans who watched him excel in preseason are eager to see whether his power, size, and versatility can translate when it matters most. For now, though, Ollie Gordon II remains a name to watch rather than a player fantasy managers can rely on each week.
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