In an assertive move, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following the retirement of Shaquil Barrett. This decision reflects the organization's belief in Ogbah's potential to bolster their defense. Alongside this, the Dolphins are celebrating the significant development of activating Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, a mere nine months post a devastating Achilles tear.
Jaelan Phillips' Triumphant Return
Jaelan Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, was on the cusp of a breakout season before his debilitating injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips has shown immense promise, with a career tally of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons.
Expressing his journey, Phillips remarked, "It's just taught me a lot of patience. Your body is going to be ready when your body is ready, so I've just been doing everything humanly possible to give my body what it needs and take the time to get after it.”
The Dolphins' training and strength staff have been instrumental in Phillips' recovery. Working closely with the medical team, Phillips managed to return to the field within the typical nine to twelve-month rehabilitation window for Achilles tears. "I have such a good training staff here and such a good strength staff, and we've been working our asses off for eight-and-a-half months now. I just, like I said, feel very fortunate to be back out here doing what I love again," Phillips said.
Peer Support and Personal Determination
Throughout his rehab process, Phillips wisely sought advice from several NFL players who had overcome similar injuries. "I checked in with him, he's checked in with me throughout the process. His situation is a little different than mine, it's kind of not really comparable in that sense. Shaq [Barrett] was somebody I talked to, I talked to Kirk [Cousins], but again another quarterback, it's kind of a different situation. Vince Biegel is a guy who I played with. He did his Achilles a couple of times. Cam Akers when I was back in LA doing my rehab, he was there as well,” Phillips explained.
The consistent reassurance from his peers helped Phillips build confidence in his recovery process. "I've just been picking people's brains and kind of the main takeaway I've gotten from everybody is that they feel 100%. They don't feel like they had to miss a step or whether it's a year or two years afterwards, they don't feel there is an injury there. That just definitely reassured me, like I said, the more I've been able to do, the less I've been thinking about the Achilles and the more I've been building confidence. It feels great," he added.
Determined and Resilient
Reflections on his injury have only fueled Phillips' determination. "Probably the highest I've been in my NFL career, and then to be humbled just like that, it was devastating. But right when that happened, I remembered going to the shower and I was crying. I just told myself, like 'This is OK. I'm going to attack this. I'm going to get over this and this is going to make me stronger at the end of the day.' I really thanked God. I really said thank you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, because I know it's going to make me a monster," Phillips said.
Given the timing of his activation, Phillips avoided missing at least four games, a situation he would have faced had he remained on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August. With this accelerated return, Phillips is set to reclaim his spot and become an even more pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defensive lineup.
Challenges Ahead
While Phillips' recovery is a significant boost for the Dolphins, other team members face their own hurdles. Bradley Chubb is currently recovering from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 17. Additionally, Christian Wilkins has moved to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent, a loss that the Dolphins must adapt to.
With his determined spirit and unwavering support system, Jaelan Phillips is poised to continue striving for excellence. His journey from injury to recovery serves as a testament to his resilience and dedication. The Miami Dolphins, bolstered by such persistence, look forward to a promising season with Phillips leading their defensive charge.