MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — For the better part of 10 minutes Sunday, Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel received medical attention in the sideline injury tent.
When he emerged, he grabbed his helmet, went back to the bench, and then re-entered the game on the New York Jets’ next offensive possession.
What we didn’t know until Monday? Van Ginkel’s face was a bloody mess after a punch to the face resulted in a broken nose.
The Story on Miami Dolphins LB Andrew Van Ginkel’s Painful Week 15
Van Ginkel told reporters Monday that even he didn’t know the nose was broken until he got a CT scan the day after the game.
“Honestly, I’m just a football player,” Van Ginkel said. “It’s the nature of the beast. It’s what we do, and that’s what makes us who we are.”
So how did it happen?
“I was pass rushing, and I took a fist to the face,” he explained. “It kind of went through my facemask, and I felt it instantly. Blood started gushing everywhere. I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought I had a bloody nose. I got back to the sideline, and blood is just pouring out of both nostrils. It took a few minutes for it to settle down.”
Added Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel:
“That’s not for everybody. Two gauzes? What’s funny — so the information flows on like a need-to-know basis during the game. Generally, you would find out as a head coach that someone had a broken nose.
“But with Andrew Van Ginkel, I think it speaks to the prerequisite toughness and kind of the guy is, because he was just like, alright gauze it up and let’s go, I never knew about it until I saw his face. Have you guys seen him? I mean, it’s two — so I was like what happened to him? ‘Oh yeah, he broke his nose.’”
That toughness was needed.
The Dolphins were already down a key edge defender with Jaelan Phillips out for the year with a torn Achilles.
And later in the game, Emmanuel Ogbah left with a strained hamstring that could keep him out of the Dolphins’ Week 16 game against the Cowboys.
Andrew Van Ginkel looks pretty good for a dude who broke his nose yesterday. pic.twitter.com/GH06FrGz9Z
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) December 18, 2023
Van Ginkel has provided a much-needed boost to the Dolphins’ defense this year, contributing four and a half sacks, a pick-six, seven tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, 14 quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery.
MORE: How the Dolphins Can Clinch a Playoff Spot in Week 16
But he’s certainly not taking a victory lap. When asked how the team has done in filling the void left by Phillips, Van Ginkel said Monday:
“I don’t think you can. He’s a special player. He’s a unique player. He brings all the energy to this defense. When you see a guy like that go down, it’s tough. You need guys to step up.
“I’m doing my best to be able to step into that role, and obviously we got Ogbah, and [Jason Pierre Paul]. Cam [Goode] played well in the game as well this past Sunday. Just seeing guys like that take advantage of their opportunity and make the most of it.”
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