The Miami outside linebacker begins the long road to rehab after announcing his successful surgery on the injured Achilles tendon Wednesday morning.
Miami Dolphins edge defender Jaelan Phillips had surgery on the torn Achilles he suffered in Friday’s win over the New York Jets, Phillips announced on social media Wednesday morning.
“Surgery was a success!! Day 1 of many,” Phillips posted on X. “I’m built for this.”
Phillips suffered the Achilles injury in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 34-13 win against the rival Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He took off at the snap on a simple pass rush and immediately collapsed to the ground, unable to get up until a cart took him away.
In the locker room following the game, Phillips was seen on two crutches and with a boot on his right foot, at that point more upbeat talking to teammates than when he was sobbing in the immediate aftermath of the injury.
Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Saturday that what many expected upon watching the injury, that Phillips’ Achilles was indeed torn. On Monday, McDaniel said Phillips would decide on a surgeon within the ensuing 24 hours.
The Dolphins officially placed Phillips on injured reserve Tuesday with his season over. Miami signed veteran pass rusher and Deerfield Beach native Jason Pierre-Paul off the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad to fill the void for depth at outside linebacker. Andrew Van Ginkel is expected to start in Phillips’ place, with Emmanuel Ogbah seeing increased playing time.
The emotional moments surrounding Phillips’ injury were captured by the cameras of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” and aired on Tuesday night’s second episode of the series tracking the team for the final stretch of the 2023 season.
This story will be updated.
