Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins confirmed on Saturday that pass rusher Jaelan Phillips suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during their 34-13 victory over the New York Jets on Black Friday.
The non-contact injury was suffered by the 24-year-old early in the fourth quarter. An MRI verified Phillips’ Achilles damage, which was indicated by a replay of his response to the snap. At the line of scrimmage, he fell to the turf and was subsequently taken out.
A majority of Phillips’ teammates stayed with him while trainers did their evaluations. The broadcast showed him sobbing into a towel en route to the locker room.
Reporters saw Phillips walking with crutches and a walking boot on his right ankle. While some hoped it was a calf injury, McDaniel took the podium in a postgame news conference and said he wasn’t optimistic.
It was especially pertinent for Holland, who also sustained an injury in the fourth quarter. He was announced as questionable to return with a knee injury after a low tackle attempt.
He called MetLife’s turf “trash,” citing its bad reputation. Mostert agreed, saying, “We’ve got to do something about this turf and this playing surface.”
Still, Phillips took to social media to share a positive message:
But the Dolphins have larger fish to fry and the turf issue won’t be remedied anytime soon. Phillips has established himself as a crucial component of the team’s defense, which is why he is out.
Out of the University of Miami, the Dolphins selected him with the 18th choice in the NFL Draft of 2021. 43 tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and an interception round out his third season in the league.
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