Jaelan Phillips To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery following…read more
Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, a standout from UCLA and Miami, made an impressive mark early in his NFL career. His rookie season saw him record 8.5 sacks, followed by seven sacks in his second year. Last season, he tallied 6.5 sacks before suffering an injury, raising expectations for his performance in 2024. However, his current injury has hampered his production this season, with only one sack and a couple of pressures before being sidelined. Despite his limited contributions in 2024, Phillips’ absence is a significant blow for a Dolphins team already dealing with injuries in various key positions.
The Dolphins’ pass-rushing unit is also missing another key player in Bradley Chubb. The two-time Pro Bowler has been on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list since the start of the season, recovering from an ACL tear that ended his 2023 campaign. Now that the first four weeks of the season have passed, Chubb is eligible to return to practice and can be activated at any time. However, there is no clear timeline for when he will be healthy enough to take the field. In the meantime, Miami will have to rely on other players along the edge, including veteran Emmanuel Ogbah and rookies Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara.
Phillips, 25, was expected to be a cornerstone of Miami’s defense for years to come, as his early production indicated a bright future. The Dolphins demonstrated their belief in his potential by picking up his fifth-year option for 2025, which will pay him $13.3 million. However, back-to-back injuries that have limited Phillips’ availability could impact the team’s long-term plans for him. While a long-term contract once seemed like a natural next step, Phillips’ injury history will likely complicate negotiations. The Dolphins will need to carefully evaluate his ability to stay healthy moving forward.
As Phillips turns his focus to rehabilitation, his future with the team will be a major topic of conversation during the upcoming offseason. Both sides will have to weigh his potential against the risks posed by his recent injury setbacks when discussing a long-term deal that could secure his place as a central piece of the Dolphins’ defense.
