Wilson said Sunday’s benching encouraged a “total reset.” It was a humbling moment that he’s convinced will help him get locked in mentally and physically.
Wilson, who was re-signed to a two-year deal worth just under $6 million this past offseason, admits he’s battled “mind games” all season, and claims he’s mastered it, and is now ready to make an impact.
When his number is called he’s going to perform at a high level. I put a lot of pressure on him because I want him to be great,” said fellow tailback Raheem Mostert, who has been Wilson’s mentor since his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers.
“He was a healthy scratch last week and I told him to keep his head up. Sometimes you get a little foggy in the mind,” Mostert said, assessing his prodigy’s possible mental state. “I’m not saying he was, but I know if I was a healthy scratch I’d be asking myself what could I have done to get in that position? What could I do better?”
That’s why Mostert and Wilson sat inside the locker room before last Sunday’s win over the Raiders, a contest where Achane handled two offensive touches before re-aggravating the right knee injury that forced him to miss the previous month’s worth of games, and Ahmed suffered a season-ending foot injury, reminded him, “I’m going to need you.”
That time is likely now considering Wilson, who has averaged 4.5 yards per carry on the 481 carries he’s had in his six seasons, is the only healthy, and fresh tailback on Miami’s roster.
“For him this week it’s going to be major. To get him back is going to definitely be a plus,” said Mostert, whose 691 rushing yards on 131 carries makes him the NFL’s second leading rusher heading into Friday’s game. “It’s going to be exciting to get us both out there.”
Last season Mostert and Wilson collectively rushed for 1,283 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns on 265 attempts for the Dolphins.
The hope is that Wilson can help Miami’s run game, which is averaging 143 rushing yards per contest, get back to the No. 1 spot when it comes to rushing yards per game, which is where the Dolphins spent most of 2023 before being overtaken by the Baltimore Ravens (155.1 rushing yards per game) this month.
“I’m ready to go,” Wilson said. “I feel better than myself. I’m revamped. I have a new fire under me. A new chip on my shoulder, on top of the one I already had. It’s more fuel to the fire. I’m destined for good things.”
According to head coach Mike McDaniel, Ahmed, who scored a touchdown on a 11-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa against the Raiders, was more valuable to the game day operation because of the numerous special teams roles he filled. And Miami decided to activate Robbie Chosen over Wilson against the Raiders because of the numerous injuries the receiver unit was battling that week.
