With Jaelan Phillips out for the season, the Miami Dolphins’ defense could not afford another injury to their linebacker unit.
But that’s exactly what transpired Sunday when Jerome Baker suffered a what appears to be a significant lower-body injury in the first half of the Dolphins’ game against the Washington Commanders.
Latest Jerome Baker Injury Update
Baker sustained an injury to his left knee. He hobbled to the locker room, unable to put any weight on his injured leg, for further evaluation. The Dolphins ruled him out a short time later, which is often a sign the injury is significant.
UPDATE (Dec. 3, 6:50 p.m.): After the game, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that the initial thought is that Baker’s injury is not season-ending, but the medical staff will send him additional tests Monday.
A few hours later, Baker took to the platform formerly known as Twitter to share some even more encouraging news.
“Dolphins win!” he wrote. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back sooner than you think. 🐬🐬🐬”
UPDATE 2 (Dec. 4, 5 p.m.): ESPN reported Baker is “week-to-week” with an MCL sprain. In the meanwhile, the team plans to work out former 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster on Wednesday.
#Dolphins LB Jerome Baker grabs at his knee while trying to tackle Curtis Samuel at the end of this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 3, 2023
Baker got hurt while trailing in coverage on a deep completion to Curtis Samuel. The injury was friendly fire. Safety Brandon Jones — who was in the game because Jevon Holland (knees) was inactive — threw his body at Samuel to tackle him short of the goal line. But in the process, he made direct contact with Baker’s lower leg.
Baker, a sixth-year pro, entered the game with 65 tackles (two for loss), two interceptions, and three passes defensed.
With him hurt, the Dolphins don’t have a lot of great options. Andrew Van Ginkel started at outside linebacker Sunday (and had a pick-six in the first quarter) but will surely be asked to play more inside now. The Dolphins also have Duke Riley and Channing Tindall as options at off-ball linebacker.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as necessary.