In a significant move showcasing their confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following Shaquil Barrett's retirement. The team's decision to bring back Ogbah highlights the critical role he plays in fortifying their defensive lineup.
On a more celebratory note, the Dolphins are rejoicing over the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This development comes just nine months after Phillips suffered a devastating Achilles tear, a testament to his rigorous rehabilitation and unyielding determination.
Phillips' Remarkable Recovery
Jaelan Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, was poised for a breakout season before his injury struck in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Despite the severity of his injury, Phillips has taken nine months to recover, landing within the typical rehabilitation period of nine to twelve months for Achilles tears among NFL players.
The Dolphins’ training and strength staff were instrumental in his 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," Phillips shared. "I just, like I said, feel very fortunate to be back out here doing what I love again.”
Guidance from Peers
Throughout his rehab process, Phillips sought advice from peers who had experienced 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 recounted.
This outreach reassured Phillips about his recovery and future performance. "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 Testament to Resilience
The timing of Phillips' activation is crucial, as he would have missed at least four games if he had remained on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August. The Dolphins now have a reinvigorated defensive end who is ready to return to gameplay and continue striving for excellence, further cementing his role as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense.
Reflecting on his journey, Phillips shared an emotional and revealing insight: "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.”
Indeed, Phillips' resolve and perseverance in the face of adversity exemplify the spirit of professional athletes who overcome significant setbacks. His impressive record—drafted 18th overall in 2021, with a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons—already speaks volumes about his capabilities and potential.
As the Miami Dolphins look to bolster their defensive unit with Phillips and Ogbah, the departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders and Bradley Chubb's ongoing recovery from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17 present additional challenges. Yet, the return of a healthy and determined Phillips signals a positive shift for the Dolphins’ defense, bringing renewed hope and vigor to the team’s aspirations.
With the 2024 NFL season on the horizon, the Dolphins' strategic roster moves and Phillips' inspiring comeback could be key factors in their pursuit of excellence.