Miami Dolphins star pass rusher Jaelan Phillips fell victim to the treacherous MetLife Stadium turf on Friday night during an AFC East battle against the New York Jets. Phillips, who had a sack earlier in the game, suffered a non-contact Achilles injury during the third quarter and was carted off the field. The severity of the injury is still uncertain, but head coach Mike McDaniel expressed pessimism in his postgame press conference, stating, "It doesn't look great, but we'll find out more tomorrow."

MetLife Stadium, notorious for its problematic turf, had already been criticized by players earlier in the week. In an anonymous poll conducted by The Athletic Stadium, it was named the players' least favorite stadium to play in, with the turf being a central reason for the low ranking. Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, who made a game-changing interception, voiced his frustration with the playing surface, stating, "Since I've been in the league, I've heard the field is trash. I don't know the statistics or anything like that, but I do know turf does increase the chances of getting hurt."

This sentiment was echoed by Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, who expressed his concern for his teammate and called for change. Mostert referenced the Achilles injury suffered by Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on opening night, saying, "No player wants to go down with a significant injury. It just sucks, man. For [Phillips], he's going to have his space right. He's going to get his mental right and be back stronger and better than ever. We've got to do something about this turf and this playing surface."

Phillips, who appeared visibly emotional as he was carted off the field, had been a standout player for the Dolphins this season, recording 6.5 sacks in eight games. He had become a key component of the defense since being selected No. 18 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his promising season seems to have come to an end due to the Achilles injury.

After the game, Phillips took to social media to express his disappointment but also vowed to come back stronger. "Absolutely devastated, but I feel strength in knowing that this is all a part of God's plan, and that I have an incredible team and support system around me. I'll be back stronger than ever," Phillips wrote.

The Miami Dolphins' dominant 34-13 win over the New York Jets on the first-ever Black Friday NFL game was overshadowed by Phillips' injury. The team's victory, coupled with Holland's interception, seemed bittersweet in the wake of the turf-related injuries. Holland himself suffered a knee injury late in the game, further fueling the frustration over the playing surface.

MetLife Stadium had installed new artificial turf prior to the start of the season in response to previous complaints, but it appears that the problems persist. It remains to be seen whether the stadium will take further action to address the concerns raised by players and to ensure the safety of those who step foot on the field.

Jaelan Phillips' injury serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that exist within the sport of football, and it highlights the need for constant vigilance in the pursuit of player safety. As the Dolphins look ahead to the rest of the season, they will have to regroup and find a way to overcome the loss of one of their key defensive contributors.