In a significant move that underscores their confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following Shaquil Barrett's retirement. The team is also celebrating the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, just nine months after a devastating Achilles tear.
The Dolphins' defensive end, Jaelan Phillips, stands as a beacon of hope and determination. At just 24 years old, Phillips has experienced the highs and lows of an NFL career in a remarkably short span. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, his pre-injury performance hinted at a breakout season. However, that trajectory came to an abrupt halt in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign with an Achilles tear.
For Phillips, the road to recovery has been arduous. His resilience and dedication, combined with the meticulous care of the Dolphins' training and strength staff, have brought him back to the brink of active gameplay. Reflecting on his recovery, 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."
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Phillips' return from an Achilles tear in nine months is a testament to his commitment and the support system around him. Typically, NFL players require between nine to twelve months to rehabilitate from such an injury. The Dolphins' staff has been instrumental in expediting his recovery process. "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 noted.
Throughout his rehabilitation, Phillips sought advice from several NFL peers who had faced similar challenges. Sharing his insights, 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.”
This network of support played a pivotal role in Phillips’ mental and physical rehabilitation. "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.”
A New Chapter Begins
As Phillips prepares to return to the field, he reflects on the humbling moments that have shaped his journey. "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.”
His return couldn’t have come at a more critical time for the Dolphins. Due to the timing of his activation, Phillips would have missed at least four games if he had stayed on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August. With the departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent and Bradley Chubb recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17, the defense needs his vigorous presence more than ever.
Over three NFL seasons, Phillips has amassed a commendable 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. These performances have established him as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense, and his return signals a reinforced defensive line ready to face upcoming challenges. Poised and driven, Phillips is set to continue striving for excellence, further solidifying his role on the team.
The Miami Dolphins and their fans now look forward to seeing Phillips back in action, fully recovered and ready to make a significant impact. His journey is not just a story of physical healing but a testament to resilience, dedication, and the unwavering spirit required to overcome adversity in the world of professional sports.