In a strategic move that highlights their unwavering confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah in the wake of Shaquil Barrett's retirement. This bold decision underscores the team’s commitment to fortifying its defensive line.
Adding to the optimism in Miami, the Dolphins are celebrating the miraculous recovery of defensive end Jaelan Phillips. Just nine months after enduring a devastating Achilles tear, Phillips has been activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This remarkable comeback sets the stage for Phillips to reassert his role as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense.
Phillips, now 24, was on track for a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, he quickly established himself as a defensive force, amassing 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. His return to play is not only a testament to his resilience but also to the effectiveness of the Dolphins’ training and strength staff, who played an instrumental role in his rehabilitation.
"It's just taught me a lot of patience," Phillips reflected on his journey to recovery. "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 timeline for an Achilles tear recovery typically spans nine to twelve months, and Phillips’ return on the earlier side of this spectrum is an impressive feat. His activation from the PUP list means he would have missed at least four games had he remained on it during the final roster cuts in late August.
Throughout his rehabilitation, Phillips sought guidance from several NFL players who had experienced similar injuries. Speaking on the invaluable advice he received, he said, "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’ conversations with these players reassured him greatly. “I've just been picking people's brains and kind of the main takeaway I've gotten from everybody is that they feel 100%,” Phillips noted. “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.”
The emotional toll of his injury was palpable. “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.”
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are also focused on the recovery of another key defensive player, Bradley Chubb, who is working his way back from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 17. The defense's dynamics are poised for a shift, especially with the departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent.
As Phillips sets to return to the gridiron, his journey from injury to recovery stands as a testament to his determination and the unwavering support from the Dolphins' medical and training staff. His comeback not only brings hope but solidifies his role as a cornerstone of Miami’s defense. Phillips is ready to pick up where he left off, continuing his pursuit of excellence and reinforcing his significance in the team’s future endeavors.