LANDOVER, Md. — De’Von Achane has cemented his place on the Dolphins as quickly as a rookie can.

We know this by his performance on the field … and we know by his performance in the locker room Sunday after the Dolphins blew out the Washington Commanders, 45-15.

Following his first extended action in two months because of a sprained knee, Achane was asked about the man dressing in the next locker over, Raheem Mostert.

“Great man, him, over there,” Achane said. “Great running back. Great leader. Everybody might think he’s old, but he’s still got some juice in him.”

Old? Who’s Achane calling old?

“Oh, my fault,” Achane said, his grin getting even wider.

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Mostert took this the way he takes on would-be tacklers near the goal line: in stride.

“He’s, uh, he’s still learning,” Mostert said. “We gotta — I gotta — teach him the ropes. It’s my fault. I’ve gotta blame myself on that one.”

For the record, Achane was 22 years, 51 days old Sunday. Mostert was 31 years, 238. But despite those differences, they have one thing in common: fresh legs.

Maybe that’s why Achane had 17 carries for his 73 yards including two short, second-half touchdown runs, plus three receptions for 30 yards. Mostert ran 11 times for 43 yards including a 1-yard score. Miami rushed for 123 yards, but the key takeaway from the backs is that they’re getting whole again at the perfect time.

When the topic of a “rookie wall” was broached with Achane, he pointed to his time on injured reserve as proof there’s plenty of tread left on the tires.

“I don’t have a rookie wall, you could say that,” he said.

Mostert also is fresh for his age. He’s in his ninth NFL season, yet he has exceeded 100 carries only four times, including this year. He entered Sunday’s game second in the league in rushing and first in rushing touchdowns with 13.

Put them together with Jeff Wilson, who’s also healthy again, and you have a strong complement to an aerial attack that saw Tyreek Hill score on two long receptions from Tua Tagovailoa.

“From the run to the deep ball, it’s kind of hard to stop both,” Achane said.

It’s a multiple attack Dolphins fans have been longing for after Achane strung together performances of 203, 101 and 151 rushing yards before landing on injured reserve.

“You love the game of football like I do, you always want to be on the field,” Achane said. “You know injuries are part of this game, so I’m so glad that I can come back healthy.”

Achane said it didn’t take long to feel like himself.

“Once you get in,” he said. “You know, a couple of tackles the first times you get the ball, after that, you go back to being yourself.”

Achane does bulk of running in Miami's final scoring drive

If any part of his comeback stood out to him, it’s the final scoring drive, which covered 59 yards in 13 plays and swallowed 7:50. Achane began the possession with six consecutive carries for 41 yards. He ended it with a 2-yard touchdown run around right end.

“I know y’all know about him being electric, man,” Wilson said. “I expect nothing less from him. If he didn’t do that, shoot, then we’d have a problem. But I’m proud of him, happy for him. I can’t wait to see him continue to grow.”

The Dolphins entered the game with the No. 1 passing attack in the league and No. 2 ground game.

“It’s crazy thinking about it because we still ain’t where we want to be,” Wilson said.

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Which is?

“Number one in everything.”

At 9-3, the Dolphins are in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC and with it, home-field advantage and a first-round bye. With the win, the Dolphins are given a 99 percent chance of making the playoffs by The New York Times’ computer, plus a 97 percent chance of winning the AFC East and an 18 percent shot at the conference’s top seed. The Chiefs, at 46 percent, were given the best chance entering Sunday night’s game vs. the Packers.

“December, that’s when teams have their best ball, right?” Mostert said.

A veteran’s wisdom, that is.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Old? Who is Miami Dolphins rookie De'Von Achane callin' old?