The Miami Dolphins earned a big win over the New York Jets on Friday, but they unfortunately didn’t get out of MetLife Stadium unscathed.
Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips suffered a noncontact injury during the game and had to be carted off the field. It’s an Achilles injury, according to the team.
Phillips took to social media Friday night and provided an emotional update.
Absolutely devastated, but I feel strength in knowing that this is all a part of God’s plan, and that I have an incredible team and support system around me. I’ll be back stronger than ever 💪🏽 Fins up 🐬🙏🏾
— Jaelan Phillips ;🕴🏾® (@JJPhillips15) November 25, 2023
After the game, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel wasn’t particularly optimistic about the injury.
Dolphins’ LB Jaelan Phillips’ Achilles appeared to pop on the replay. Even Dolphins’ HC Mike McDaniel didn’t sound encouraged postgame, telling reporters: “It doesn’t look great, but we’ll find out more tomorrow … I’m not fired up about it.” pic.twitter.com/Gv3e1aFl8G
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2023
Phillips was sidelined for a few games earlier this season, and less than two weeks ago, he spoke candidly about how difficult that was for him.
“It was really tough for me, I’m not going to lie, pretty much that month where I missed three and a half games essentially and was dealing with all those injuries,” he said earlier this month. “It’s pretty crazy what it can do to you psychologically when it comes to confidence, when it comes to preparedness, just everything. I just felt like I was a shell of myself. Even when I was getting back onto the field, I was second-guessing everything.”
Sports can be cruel at times, and no one is more aware of that reality than Phillips right now. The 24-year-old may have a long recovery process ahead of him depending on the severity of his injury.
Phillips entered Friday’s game with 5.5 sacks and 39 combined tackles in seven appearances this season. He had been enjoying a big day against the Jets before suffering the injury, with one sack, three tackles for loss, one pass defended, two quarterback hits and four combined tackles.
If Phillips’ injury is season-ending, the Dolphins will undeniably miss him on the defensive side of the ball. More information will certainly be known about his status soon.
The Dolphins came away with a 34-13 win on Friday when all was said and done to move to 8-3 on the season. The squad now has some breathing room atop the AFC East as Miami tries to bring home its first division title since the 2008 campaign.
Next up is a battle against the Washington Commanders on the road on Dec. 3. The Dolphins will have more time than usual to prepare for that one due to the fact that their game against the Jets fell on a Friday.
With any luck, Miami will be as healthy as possible for the game against Washington — even if the chances of Phillips playing are slim to none.
