DOLPHINS LB JAELAN PHILLIPS OUT FOR THE SEASON WITH KNEE INJURY
Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips announced on Wednesday that he will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury during Monday night’s 31-12 home defeat against the Tennessee Titans.
A first-round pick in 2021, this is Phillips’ second consecutive year that a promising campaign has been cut short by a season-ending injury. Phillips suffered a torn Achilles tendon in November last season during a 34-13 blowout win on Black Friday over the New York Jets and worked his way back in time for Week 1 this year. The new injury is thus a crushing blow.
“During the game on Monday, I suffered a season-ending knee injury that will require reconstructive surgery,” Phillips announced via a post on Instagram. “I believe that our lives are defined by how we handle adversity. In these moments of uncertainty, defeat, and sorrow, it is natural to question your purpose and wonder, ‘What is the meaning of this pain?’”
“I know that my purpose is to inspire people to never give up, no matter how many times you get knocked down. I am a living testimony to the power of resilience and faith, and I feel strength in knowing that my God is greater than any obstacle. Through him I will persevere. There is nothing in life that you can’t overcome as long as you don’t quit.”
One of the Miami Dolphins’ standout pass rushers, the 25-year-old had registered 1 sack through the first 4 games of the season, having started strongly with a takedown of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 1. Phillips will undergo surgery to repair his knee in the next few days, hoping to return in 2025.
“The mission is still the mission,” Phillips went on in his released statement. “I have unfinished business to take care of and I will come out of this trial victorious. Thank you all for your continued support and love. Fins Up.”
The news is another tough blow for an injury-plagued Miami Dolphins team who have already been playing without standout pass rusher and two-time Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb. Chubb, who remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, is currently recovering from a torn ACL he sustained during Week 17’s 56-19 loss against the Baltimore Ravens last year.
Chubb’s absence and the loss of Phillips for the year will most likely lead to an increased role for first-round rookie Chop Robinson, who’s been steadily improving as the season progresses. Miami also has rookie fifth-rounder Mohamed Kamara, who was inactive for each of the first four games of the regular season and could now have an opportunity for some playing time.
The team from South Beach received some positive news, however, as Emmanuel Ogbah is playing at a consistent enough level through the first quarter of the season. Miami is also getting back superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to help on the offensive side of the ball.
Beckham has been on PUP since last July but has progressed enough in the last few weeks that the team are comfortable opening his three-week window to return. The soon-to-be 32-year-old wide receiver returned to practice on Wednesday and was a full participant alongside second-year cornerback Cam Smith, who was on Injured Reserve for the first month of the season with a hamstring injury.
Veteran defensive back Kendall Fuller has also been progressing well through the concussion protocol and could make a return on Sunday against the New England Patriots. The same is also true for Pro Bowl LT Terron Armstead, who alongside Fuller, was limited in practice on Wednesday.
Miami is, however, still without safety Jordan Poyer (shin) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) as they try to regain the reins following an unexpected 1-3 start to what was a promising season for the fins.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Atlanta Falcons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.