In an emphatic show of confidence, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah after Shaquil Barrett's retirement, reinforcing their belief in Ogbah's contribution to the team. This move stands as a testament to the Dolphins' strategic planning and commitment to building a resilient roster.
Among the most heartening developments for the Dolphins is the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, a remarkable feat just nine months after suffering a severe Achilles tear. Phillips, a promising 24-year-old defensive end, was on track for a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign, but his return now signifies a major boost for Miami's defense.
Phillips’ rapid recovery can be largely attributed to the diligent efforts of the Dolphins' training and strength staff. "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. The team's medical and support staff's relentless work was crucial in ensuring Phillips met the typical nine-to-twelve-month rehabilitation period required for Achilles tears.
Throughout his recovery, Phillips sought guidance from several NFL players who had navigated 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,” he shared.
Phillips’ inclusion in the active roster came at a crucial juncture. Had he remained on the PUP list through the final roster cuts in late August, he would have inevitably missed at least four games, a situation the Dolphins were keen to avoid. His imminent return to gameplay underscores his pivotal role in the Dolphins' defensive lineup, especially given the recent departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent and Bradley Chubb’s ongoing recovery from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17.
Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips has consistently demonstrated his potential. Accumulating a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three seasons, he was ascending rapidly before the untimely injury. His comeback not only brings relief but also rejuvenates the team’s defensive aspirations. "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 reflected, highlighting his mental resilience.
Phillips’ journey has been one of patience and relentless effort. "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." He emphasized the psychological and physical commitment required to recover fully from such a debilitating injury.
Now, with his return, Phillips is set to solidify his role as a cornerstone of the Dolphins' defense and chase the high aspirations he once held. "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 said, confident about his future performances.
As the Miami Dolphins gear up for the upcoming season, the return of Jaelan Phillips marks a pivotal moment. His resurgence, driven by hard work, support, and determination, promises to be a significant advantage for a team keen on making impactful strides on the field.