In a decisive move that underscores their belief in his potential and recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah following the retirement of Shaquil Barrett. This roster adjustment aligns with the team's anticipation of a significant defensive resurgence.
The Dolphins' optimism is further bolstered by the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, marking a remarkable recovery just nine months after a devastating Achilles tear. Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, had been on the brink of a breakout season before his injury during Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign.
A Testament to Resilience
Phillips' journey back to the field is a testament to his resilience and the tireless efforts of the Dolphins' training and strength staff. Emphasizing the importance of patience and dedicated rehabilitation, 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.”
The typical timeframe for NFL players to recover from an Achilles injury ranges between nine to twelve months, making Phillips' return on the shorter end of the spectrum. His activation from the PUP list ensures he will not miss additional games, which he would have had the activation occurred during the final roster cuts in late August.
Phillips has been supported by a community of players who have weathered similar injuries. "I checked in with him, he's checked in with me throughout the process," Phillips said, referring to Shaquil Barrett. He also drew on the experiences of other players, adding, "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.”
Building Confidence
The knowledge that many players fully regain their pre-injury form has been a great source of confidence for Phillips. "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," said Phillips. "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' road to recovery may have been fraught with emotional and physical challenges, but it has also strengthened his resolve. Reflecting on the moment his injury occurred, he recalled, "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.”
Future Outlook
Jaelan Phillips, who was drafted 18th overall in 2021, has already showcased his talent on the field with a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. With his return, the Dolphins' defense looks set to regain one of its pivotal figures, poised to continue striving for excellence.
Meanwhile, the team faces additional challenges as they manage other player injuries and departures. Bradley Chubb is currently recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17, while Christian Wilkins has moved to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent. These developments necessitate robust strategies by the coaching staff to maintain their competitive edge.
As the NFL season progresses, all eyes will be on Phillips' performance and how effectively he reintegrates into the Dolphins’ defense. With an inspiring comeback story and the steadfast support of his team and mentors, Phillips is poised to make a significant impact on the field once again.