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Dolphins safety Jevon Holland slams the 'TRASH' turf at MetLife Stadium after watching his teammate Jaelan Phillips get carted off in tears in win over the Jets with Achilles tear

1 year ago 49
  • Phillips joins a growing list of players to suffer injuries on MetLife Stadium's field
  • He will be out for the rest of the season in a crushing blow to the Dolphins
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

By Leocciano Callao For Dailymail.Com and Associated Press

Published: 14:40 GMT, 25 November 2023 | Updated: 14:53 GMT, 25 November 2023

Miami safety Jevon Holland called the MetLife Stadium turf 'trash' after teammate Jaelan Phillips injured his right Achilles tendon in the Dolphins' 34-13 win over the New York Jets on Friday.

Phillips was carted from the field late in the fourth quarter, a non-contact injury that reignited the turf vs grass debate among players.

'Since I've been in the league, I've heard the field is trash,' said Holland, whose 99-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first half helped lead Miami to the victory. 'I don't know the statistics or anything like that, but I do know turf does increase the chances of getting hurt.'


Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon on the same field just four snaps into his debut with New York on September 11.

MetLife Stadium changed its surface - which had been widely criticized because of injuries - before this season. But players have continued to voice their displeasure with the new turf.

Dolphins safety Jevon Holland slammed MetLife Stadium's turf field after 34-13 win on Friday

Linebacker Jaelan Phillips was carted off the field after suffering a season-ending Achilles tear

Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert was a member of the San Francisco 49ers when he was injured in 2020 and teammates Solomon Thomas, now with the Jets, and Nick Bosa both suffered season-ending injuries on the previous MetLife Stadium turf.

'It's tough, especially playing on this turf,' Mostert said.

'No player wants to go down with a significant injury. You saw what happened to Rodgers, his very first game within the first series. It just sucks, man.

'For JP (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. Obviously, there is still a major problem. It just has to change.'

Mostert explained most players prefer playing on grass because of the give the surface provides.

'With turf, you're kind of stuck in that position and it ultimately causes severe injuries,' he said.

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear at Met Life in his New York debut 

NFL players have collectively voted MetLife Stadium's field as their least favorite to play on

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel didn't have an immediate update on Phillips, but said 'it doesn't look great' and the team was preparing for the 'worst-case scenario'

The third-year linebacker, who'll have additional tests Saturday, appeared to indicate in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he has a season-ending injury.

'Absolutely devastated,' Phillips wrote.

'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. Fins up.'

Philips played a huge role in Miami's defense this season, securing 6.5 sacks in eight games before the injury.  

MetLife's Stadium's field appears to be unanimously unfavored by NFL players. 

Earlier this week, an anonymous poll released by The Athletic named the Jets' home as players' least favorite stadium to play in. Most of the players cited the turf as their reason for the low ranking. 

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