The Dolphins played without Raheem Mostert last Sunday for the first time this season because the team’s rushing leader, a talent who has scored 21 touchdowns, didn’t receive medical clearance because of an ankle sprain he suffered the previous week.

Rookie sensation De’Von Achane replaced Mostert as Miami’s lead back in Sunday’s 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and gained 107 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Achane, the Dolphins’ 2023 third-round pick, also caught four passes for 30 yards and a touchdown, and did so while playing on a turf toe injury he’s been nursing for the past three weeks.

Unless Achane suffered a setback, and/or Miami decides to shut Mostert down for the remainder of the season, which could be a possibility if it’s a high ankle sprain he’s nursing, it’s hard justify adding a veteran like Cook at this point in the season.

After all, it’s not as if Cook still is the same caliber of talent he was in Minnesota during the prime years of his career.

After being released by the Vikings during the offseason, the 28-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Jets in August, and was viewed to be a cherry on top of an offseason that was headlined by the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers.

But Rodgers’ tenure as New York’s starter in 2023 lasted just four snaps before he tore his Achilles, sending the Jets’ season into a tailspin. The Jets fizzled the final weeks of the season and have been eliminated from playoff contention at 6-10.

As for Cook, he saw his role diminished as the season rolled along because Breece Hall came back from a season-ending knee injury sooner than anticipated, and re-established himself as the Jets’ lead back. So far this season Hall has gained 816 rushing yards and scored four rushing touchdowns on 186 carries.

Cook sought a trade at the NFL trade deadline, but there were no takers, probably because of his $7 million salary.

In what proved to be his final game with the Jets in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders, Cook got just five snaps (6% of the offensive plays). He was a healthy scratch in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, which inspired Tuesday’s split.

Now the question is, where is he going? And could the Dolphins, a team the South Florida native grew up cheering for, be in play?

Miami is advancing to the postseason, and could own the No. 2 seed and the AFC East division title if the Dolphins can beat the Buffalo Bills at home on Sunday night.

But to do that they’d have to contain a Bills offense that features James Cook, Dalvin’s younger brother, who has gained 1,086 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns this season.

With Jaylen Waddle likely sidelined again this week, it would be ideal if Miami could lean on the rushing attack, which has gained 2,200 yards this season and averages 5.0 yards per carry.

Behind Mostert, who has contributed 1,019 rushing yards on 209 carries, the Dolphins have Achane, who has gained 936 rushing and receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns this season, Jeff Wilson, a six-year veteran who has been sparingly used, and rookie Chris Brooks, who recently came back from injured reserve.

The Dolphins will have a roster spot available because Bradley Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Ravens loss and likely will be headed to injured reserve. But it’s more realistic that Chubb’s roster spot will go to Melvin Ingram, a veteran pass rusher on the practice squad, instead of claiming Cook, who was earning $341,176 per game.