The Miami Dolphins have demonstrated their unwavering faith in Emmanuel Ogbah by re-signing him, filling the void left by Shaquil Barrett's retirement. This move comes at a pivotal moment for the team, further highlighted by the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list just nine months after suffering a devastating Achilles tear.
A Remarkable Recovery
At just 24 years of age, Jaelan Phillips has shown remarkable resilience. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips was on the brink of a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Regardless, his determination and the expertise of the Dolphins' training and strength staff played a crucial role in his swift recovery.
"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," Phillips remarked.
Phillips' journey back to health has been an inspiring one, clocking in at nine months—a timeline that fits within the typical nine to twelve months required for NFL players recovering from an Achilles tear. Throughout his rehab, Phillips sought wisdom from various NFL players who had faced similar injuries, including Shaquil Barrett, Kirk Cousins, and Vince Biegel. These interactions provided him with valuable insights and a sense of reassurance.
"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 explained.
Overcoming Adversity
Phillips' return to gameplay will serve as a beacon of hope and tenacity for his teammates and fans alike. His performance stats over three NFL seasons—22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss—underscore his pivotal role in the Dolphins' defense. Had he remained on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August, Phillips would have missed at least four games, something the team is relieved to avoid.
"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 said.
Reflecting on his battleground with injury, Phillips added, "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.”
The Dolphins' Road Ahead
While Phillips makes his comeback, the Dolphins contend with other roster changes. Bradley Chubb is in the midst of recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17. Meanwhile, Christian Wilkins has moved to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent, shifting the dynamics of Miami's defensive lineup.
Phillips' journey has provided him with invaluable lessons in patience and perseverance, lessons that resonate far beyond the football field. As he gears up to rejoin the Dolphins on the gridiron, he stands as a testament to the power of determination and the importance of a strong support system.
"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 articulated.
Indeed, Phillips is set to return to gameplay and continue striving for excellence, further solidifying his position as a cornerstone of the Dolphins' defense. His return not only bolsters the team's morale but also fills fans with anticipation for what promises to be an exhilarating season.