Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to have season-ending knee surgery

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips revealed that the knee injury he sustained during Monday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans will require season-ending surgery. Phillips was hurt in the first half of the Dolphins’ 31-12 loss after a collision with teammate Jordan Poyer. Although he continued to play with the help of a brace after halftime, it was later confirmed that he had suffered a partial tear in his right ACL.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Phillips expressed his determination, writing, “The mission is still the mission. I have unfinished business to take care of and I will come out of this trial victorious.”

Phillips went down again in the third quarter, visibly frustrated as he pounded the ground in pain. After being assisted to his feet, he walked to the sideline and threw his helmet down before leaving the game for good. Coach Mike McDaniel described it as a “freak” contact injury that occurred when Titans running back Tony Pollard was tackled. As Poyer dove to stop Pollard, his helmet struck Phillips’ knee, causing the injury. Poyer was also hurt on the play.

Phillips had previously worked his way back from a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in 2023, which sidelined him for the final seven games of last season. McDaniel clarified that Monday’s knee injury was unrelated to the Achilles tear.

“It’s tough, especially when you see someone work so hard to earn every rep,” McDaniel said.

In four games this season, Phillips recorded six tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup.