Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert isn’t playing as though he’s a 31-year-old running back
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert has a guy that’s based in Miami Lakes who helps him get ready for the rigors of the NFL. He does dry needling, massage, cupping therapy, all kinds of stuff.
“Actually, I’m going to see him probably Tuesday,” Mostert said after he rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in Sunday’s 42-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
This is some of the stuff Mostert must do as a 31-year-old, ninth-year running back to keep performing at a high level.
“It’s fun,” Mostert of being the main ball carrier on a team that could split carries among three or four running backs.
“When there’s a challenge up ahead of you, you’ve got to rock with the challenge and do what you’ve got to do.”
That’s exactly what Mostert did Sunday, he kept the Dolphins’ league-leading run game (1,091 yards, 181.8 yards per game) afloat pretty much all by himself.
The Dolphins rushed for 162 yards on 33 carries against Carolina.
At the end of Sunday’s afternoon games, Mostert led the league with 11 touchdowns.
“It’s a bittersweet moment,” he said of that statistic, “because the first couple of years I wasn’t really getting the opportunity. But I don’t look back at that too much. I just try to push forward as best as I possibly can.
“I’m just trying to do great things, man.”
This is what you like about Mostert. He’s humble, he’s level-headed, and he’s not about himself. You know that by his words and actions, and you appreciate it.
We see the fun part of being Mostert, the guy who easily hurdles would-be tacklers, such as he did against Panthers cornerback C.J. Henderson during Sunday’s game.
“It was textbook,” he said of that move after the game. “I ain’t gonna lie. I was just watching it. It was fun.”
We see the New Smyrna Beach native who grew up surfing, and has friends who are professional surfers, and thus he has that cool touchdown celebration in which he catches a wave on his belly and then springs to his feet as though he’s on a surfboard.
We don’t see the frustrations of the undrafted running back from Purdue who still knows each team that cut him (yes, the Dolphins are on that list along with Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland, the New York Jets and Chicago) before he finally caught on with San Francisco in 2016.
We don’t see the ire of an injury-prone guy who had injury-slowed or injury-interrupted seasons in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.
But we know that guy exists.
We see him surface with those physical runs Mostert makes. Speed guys aren’t supposed to run people over, but Mostert has done it.
And it seems he’s making more and more of them this season, almost certainly more than last year. It’s as though Mostert, who was often called old during the offseason, who often had his long-term health questioned, heard what everyone was saying and is out to prove them wrong.
“Some people doubt him because he’s getting a lil older,” center-guard Liam Eichenberg said, “but he’s a guy that comes in every day and gives 100% and goes the extra mile. It’s no surprise he’s succeeding, and his running is showing his mentality.”
Right tackle Austin Jackson recalls the first time he saw Mostert in a game. It was 2020 and Mostert was playing for San Francisco. Mostert scored on an 80-yard run.
“He didn’t break stride,” Jackson said. “That’s just part of who he is. He runs like that. Obviously getting him opportunities is huge, getting the ball in his hands is huge. I’m not in control of that, but in terms of who he is as a rusher, he’s powerful, decisive, smart, and he runs like that.”
Jackson isn’t sure whether Mostert heard the critics chirping about his age in the offseason.
“I don’t know what he’s been hearing,” Jackson said. “He’s running like he’s young. If he keeps that up, he’ll be alright.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hands the ball off to running back Raheem Mostert against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, 31, rushed for 115 yards against Carolina, a timely performance considering fellow running backs De’Von Achane and Jeff Wilson Jr. were sidelined. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert celebrates with wide receiver Braxton Berrios after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs for yards after a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill takes a cell phone from a photographer to celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before a play against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel during his game against the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips tries to get around Carolina Panthers tackle Taylor Moton during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
