Damon Brooks Jr.
Miami Dolphins defensive end Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles in the fourth quarter of a blowout victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in the NFL’s first-ever Black Friday game. Injuries are a part of the game, but it’s the field conditions that has one player concerned.
“I don’t know the statistics or anything like that, but I do know turf does increase the chances of getting hurt,” Dolphins safety Jevon Holland said.
In the fourth quarter, video shows Phillips attempting to push off his right foot until a muscle in his calf gave out, sending the 6-foot-5 pass rusher tumbling to the ground. He was eventually carted off, and MRIs from yesterday confirmed that he’ll miss the rest of the 2023 season.
MetLife Stadium opened in 2010 and serves as the home stadium for the Jets and New York Giants. But unfortunately, Phillips’ injury has rekindled conversations about the slit film turf used on the field. According to CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArso, the Giants are one of six teams to play on that kind of surface.
“We’ve got to do something about this turf and playing surface,” Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert said postgame.
But this isn’t news of a devastating injury occurring at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In the season opener, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in his first possession with his new team. There have been 14 notable injuries suffered at that stadium since 2020, which includes San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa (torn ACL in 2020) and Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard twice.
