Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips had a social media message on Wednesday heading into his knee surgery. Posting on Instagram, Phillips captioned “C’est la vie,” which is French for “that’s life.”

A somber yet accurate cliche for the Dolphins pass-rusher who was injured Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans. Phillips had just begun a comeback season from last year’s Achilles injury, even beginning the 2024 campaign with a Week 1 sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Phillips unfortunately has had some tough luck with injuries throughout even his collegiate career. Despite nearly medically retiring from the game while at UCLA, Phillips fought hard to return to the field and became a first round Dolphins’ Draft pick in 2021 following transferring to the University of Miami.

His September return from the Achilles injury suffered last season on Black Friday in November against the New York Jets, was remarkably ahead of schedule. Phillips even indicated yet another return is eminent in a social media post after his 2024 season-ending diagnosis.

“Don’t feel sorry for me…feel sorry for anyone who has to face me when I’m back,” he tweeted on X.com on October 3rd.

It’s with this sort of encouragement, and his track record of extreme commitment to overcoming past injuries, that a Phillips return is expected. In a contract year, he has a career 23 sacks over his four years in the league, and certainly the kind of player the Dolphins should want to rehab, retain, and return in 2025 and beyond.