MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane continues to have a positive outlook toward playing Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team’s practice week commenced.

Achane practiced Thursday, as coach Mike McDaniel said he would before the day’s drills, but was limited, according to both McDaniel and the team’s injury report.

Achane was wearing a red, non-contact jersey Thursday to avoid aggravation to the rib injury suffered in the second quarter of Sunday’s win at the New York Jets.

“He’ll go through some of his assignments, and he’ll participate but it’ll be limited,” McDaniel said. “It’ll be a gradual increase in activity and physicality.”

Achane hurt his ribs landing on the football he was carrying for a 29-yard gain down the right side on his last rushing attempt against the Jets.

He finished with 92 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. Jaylen Wright took over after Achane’s departure for his first 100-yard rushing performance and first NFL touchdown.

Protecting his body will be vital against the Steelers, who rank No. 21 against the run.

“The good news is that how he earns a living is avoiding tacklers, and that’s what he’ll have to do,” McDaniel said. “Bumps and bruises, if you don’t have something in December, you’re probably playing football wrong.”

Whether Achane wears a flak jacket will be up to him, according to McDaniel, as the speedy running back appeared to experiment with one at Thursday drills.

“He looked good,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said of Achane. “They’re doing what they need to be cautious of him as he’s running the ball, catching.”

Other Dolphins injuries

Two Dolphins missed Thursday practice, and they’re key special teamers: defensive back Elijah Campbell (ankle/knee) and linebacker Caleb Johnson (shoulder).

Johnson is unlikely to play Monday, and Campbell is day to day, per McDaniel.

Linebacker Tyrel Dodson was off the injury report entirely after a hamstring tweak against New York on Sunday that caused him to exit momentarily.

Limited participants at Thursday’s practice were cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb/groins), outside linebacker Chop Robinson (oblique), tight end Darren Waller (rest), long snapper Joe Cardona (hamstring) and offensive lineman Andrew Meyer (triceps). Meyer participated in his first practice in a designation to return from IR.

Watt hospitalized

The Steelers made a shocking announcement on outside linebacker T.J. Watt on Thursday.

“T.J. Watt is currently in a local hospital for further medical evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the practice facility on Wednesday,” the Steelers statement said. “He will not be at practice on Thursday, and his status for Monday night’s game vs. Miami is in question. Coach (Mike) Tomlin will provide more updates at the appropriate time.”

Tomlin later told reporters in Pittsburgh he didn’t know what prompted Watt’s lung discomfort and that further evaluation later Thursday would help determine his status.

Watt, who has seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections in his career, leads the Steelers with seven sacks this season.

Also missing practice for the Steelers Thursday were defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), left tackle Andrus Peat (concussion), cornerback James Pierre (calf) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hand). Pittsburgh had tight end Darnell Washington and linebacker Malik Harrison as both are navigating concussion protocol.

Tomlin-led Steelers

McDaniel detailed his impression of facing the Steelers under coach Mike Tomlin.

“Twenty years of over-.500 football play,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of what he sees from the Mike Tomlin-led Steelers. “I mean, that’s been the scope of my career, is being able to inspire a group of individuals to come together and win more than they lose. I think that, within that, there’s a lot of pride in the organization and the team. I think guys play physically every year, regardless of what the nameplates are, and they find a way to play sound football and they become pretty hard to beat.”

Indeed, the Steelers have never finished below .500 under Tomlin, as his team is 7-6 deep into his 19th season.

“I’ve played him multiple times, and it’s always been that same story,” McDaniel said. “You have to go earn a win. It will not be handed to you.”