The Miami Dolphins were able to secure the top spot in the AFC Conference on Friday after they beat the New York Jets 34-13. The team is now 8-3 and looking like a Super Bowl contender through 12 weeks of the 2023 season. However, Miami also took a tough loss as one of their star players suffered what is likely a season-ending Achilles tear.
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
Jaelan Phillips Injury
Star pass rusher Jaelan Phillips was carted off of the field after he suffered what the team believes to be a right Achilles injury. You could see a clear pop in the back of his leg on the play, which a lot of fans and players believe the turf field is at fault. Miami running back Raheem Mostert let his feelings be known after the game in an interview with the “Palm Beach Post.”
“You saw what happened to [Aaron Rodgers]. Very first game in the first series. It just sucks… We’ve got to do something about this turf and this playing surface. Obviously it’s still a major problem… Something has to change.”
Miami Dolphins Career
Phillips was having the best season of his young career leading up to the devastating injury. He has recorded 39 total tackles, five and a half sacks, four tackles for loss, and an interception leading up to this matchup. He was able to get another sack and three tackles for loss in the game before suffering the injury. Now, the team’s number-one pick in the 2021 NFL draft is likely to miss the rest of the season.
The Dolphins are now sitting at an 8-3 record and are in first place in the AFC East. They will travel to Maryland to take on the Washington Commanders next week, with what should be an easier matchup for them. We will see how the loss of Phillips impacts Miami’s defense for the rest of the season since he was emerging as a star on the team.
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