The Dolphins faced a scary moment in the third quarter of their 34-13 win over the Jets when one of their top defenders went down with a non-contact Achilles injury.
With the Jets driving down the field and a little under 10 minutes left in the third quarter, Miami linebacker Jaelan Phillips was attempting to get past Jets right tackle Max Mitchell and rush Tim Boyle before he went down untouched as he grabbed his right ankle area.
After he went down, Dolphins medical personnel went down to the field to attend to him as players from both teams surrounded him.
Phillips, 24, was then put into a cart and taken off the field.
He was ruled out for the rest of the game with an Achilles injury, the Dolphins announced.
After the game, head coach Mike McDaniel said he didn’t know the full extent of the injury but said the team was preparing for the “worst-case scenario,” per the Associated Press.
Warning: disturbing video
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips is carted off the field after getting injured in the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Phillips hurt his Achilles on the play. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostHe recorded four tackles and a sack for Miami as it controlled play against New York from the outset.
Phillips has 6.5 sacks this season and 22 overall in his career.
While it’s unclear of the nature of his injury, it’s the second injury involving an Achilles at MetLife Stadium this year after Aaron Rodgers went down four plays into the season’s opening game with a torn Achilles.
New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle is sacked by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Jaelan Phillips stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game. Getty Images“It’s tough, especially playing on this turf,” running back Raheem Mostert said. “No player wants to go down with a significant injury. You saw what happened to Rodgers, his very first game within the first series. It just sucks, man.
“For [Phillips], he’s going to have his space right. He’s going to get his mental right and be back stronger and better than ever. We’ve got to do something about this turf and this playing surface. Obviously, there is still a major problem. It just has to change.”
Earlier this week, MetLife Stadium was named the NFL players’ least favorite stadium in an anonymous poll run by The Athletic.
At least one player responded said the “turf sucks” at the venue.
