In a significant move underscoring their confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following Shaquil Barrett's retirement. Adding to the team's good news, the Dolphins are celebrating the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, just nine months after a devastating Achilles tear.
Jaelan Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, was on track for a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips had compiled a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons, solidifying his position as a key player in the Dolphins' defense. Phillips' return to gameplay is eagerly anticipated as he aims to continue his ascent, further establishing himself as a pivotal figure on the field.
Reflecting on his challenging journey, Phillips shared, "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.” This mentality has evidently paid off, as Phillips has managed to recover within the typical nine-to-twelve-month rehabilitation period for an Achilles tear.
The Dolphins' training and strength staff played a crucial role in Phillips' recovery. "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 expressed, highlighting the dedication and relentless effort behind his rehabilitation process.
Throughout his rehab, Phillips sought advice from several NFL players who had undergone similar injuries. "I checked in with [Shaquil Barrett], 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 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,” said Phillips. These interactions provided reassurance and built 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.” Phillips' confidence is palpable as he looks forward to returning to the field and resuming his career with renewed vigor.
Phillips' resilience and mental strength were tested throughout this period. "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,” he revealed. This positive outlook has been crucial in his recovery and will undoubtedly serve him well as he re-enters competitive play.
Phillips' return is timely for the Dolphins, as they navigate other challenges on their roster. Bradley Chubb is in the process of recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17, and Christian Wilkins has moved to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent. Given these changes, Phillips' reintroduction to the lineup adds a significant boost to the Dolphins' defense.
With Emmanuel Ogbah re-signed and Jaelan Phillips activated from the PUP list, the Miami Dolphins are poised to bolster their defensive capabilities significantly. Phillips’ perseverance and dedication to his recovery serve as an inspiring reminder of the resilience and determination required to succeed at the highest level of professional sports. His return marks a pivotal moment in what promises to be an exciting season for Dolphins fans and the NFL community alike.