Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips exited Friday’s 34-13 victory against the New York Jets due to an Achilles injury, dampening the otherwise impressive performance by the Dolphins’ defense.
Phillips suffered a non-contact lower leg injury late in the fourth quarter, with television replays indicating a potential rupture of his Achilles tendon as his calf exhibited signs of distress. Visibly emotional, Phillips was transported to the locker room on a cart.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel expressed concern about Phillips’ injury in his post-game update, acknowledging the severity of the situation. “It’s his Achilles—doesn’t look great, but we’ll find out more tomorrow,” McDaniel said. “Yeah, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m not fired up about it.”
Teammates gathered around Phillips as he was assisted onto the cart, creating what McDaniel described as an “emotional” moment. While preparing for the possibility of the worst-case scenario, McDaniel emphasized Phillips’ resilience and determination to overcome challenges.
“I think one of the special things about this particular team is there are a lot of shared journeys, so everybody sees what he puts in on a daily basis,” McDaniel said. “If it’s the worst-case scenario, it’s also you get a chance to write your own story. He’s the type of person who has the right mindset to be able to turn anything that’s perceived as negative into a positive one. But this is going to be tough.”
A potential prolonged absence for Phillips could result in increased responsibilities for linebackers Andrew van Ginkel and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. Van Ginkel, with four sacks this season, and Ogbah, who secured 18 total sacks in 2020 and 2021, are poised to step up in Phillips’ absence.
MetLife Stadium’s turf field has been a focal point of concern, with Phillips joining a list of players, including Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who have suffered injuries on the field. Dolphins safety Jevon Holland criticized the turf, and running back Raheem Mostert called for changes, emphasizing the ongoing issues with the playing surface.
Despite playing in only eight of the Dolphins’ 11 games this season, Phillips shared the team lead with 6.5 sacks. Last week, he spoke to local media about the mental toll of earlier season injuries, reflecting on the challenges and impact on his confidence.
Phillips had faced adversity during his collegiate career at UCLA, where a series of injuries led to a medical retirement before returning to play for the University of Miami. Over his first two seasons with the Dolphins, he participated in all 34 possible games, accumulating a team-high 15.5 sacks.
