In a move that solidifies their confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following the retirement of Shaquil Barrett. This decision comes as the team celebrates another significant milestone — the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, has made a remarkable comeback just nine months after suffering a devastating Achilles tear.
Jaelan Phillips had been on the path to a breakout season when he sustained his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips' young career had already shown promise with a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three seasons. His injury was a significant setback, but his recovery journey underscores resilience and determination, attributes that have always characterized his play.
"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 reflected on his rehab process. The Dolphins' training and strength staff have been instrumental in his recovery, working diligently with Phillips over the last eight-and-a-half months. "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,” he added.
The typical rehabilitation period for NFL players recovering from an Achilles tear ranges from nine to twelve months. Phillips has taken the minimum time necessary, a testament to his hard work and the support he received. He made it a point to seek advice from several NFL players who had undergone similar injuries, including Shaq Barrett, Kirk Cousins, and Vince Biegel. "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,” said Phillips.
Despite the gravity of his injury, Phillips maintained an optimistic outlook. He focused on the positive stories of recovery he heard from other players, which bolstered his confidence. "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 shared.
Phillips' rehabilitation was not just a physical battle but an emotional and mental one as well. Recalling the moment of his injury, he said, "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 timing of Phillips' activation is crucial. Had he remained on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August, he would have missed at least four games. His return to the field is a significant boost for the Dolphins' defense, especially with Bradley Chubb still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 17 and the departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent.
Phillips is now set to resume his role in the Dolphins' defense, eager to continue his pursuit of excellence. His story stands as a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of a strong support system, and the unyielding spirit that defines the best of professional athletes. As the Dolphins prepare for the upcoming season, Phillips' return marks a pivotal moment, potentially pushing the team closer to its goals.