Miami linebacker Jaelan Phillips suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Dolphins' 34-13 NFL victory over the New York Jets on Friday, coach Mike McDaniel confirmed on Saturday.
Phillips suffered the non-contact injury early in the fourth quarter, crumbling to the turf at the line of scrimmage before he was taken from the field in a cart.
"The Achilles is torn for sure, and the long road to recover starts for Jaelan now," McDaniel said in a conference call with reporters a day after the game.
Phillips, 24, has emerged as a key element of the Dolphins defense.
Selected with the 18th pick in the 2021 draft, Phillips had 43 tackles. 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits and an interception this season.
"You don't necessarily replace Jaelan Phillips," McDaniel said. "But you can have guys that are fully capable to step up and kind of get his production through different ways. We are fortunate enough to have some depth."
The injury to Phillips sparked renewed criticism of the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium.
Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, who returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown on Friday, called the playing surface "trash."
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, a former Jet who scored two touchdowns on Friday, said "something has to change," at the venue.
Phillips is just the latest player to suffer an Achilles injury at MetLife Stadium.
Superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers was just four plays into his first season at the helm for the Jets when he suffered a complete tendon tear.
The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player was widely expected to miss the remainder of the season, but the 39-year-old has hinted in recent weeks that after intensive treatment he could attempt a return -- especially if the Jets are in the playoff hunt.
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