In a decisive move signaling strong confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following the retirement of Shaquil Barrett. This signing is just one part of their strategy, but the real story lies in the remarkable comeback of Jaelan Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, who has been activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Phillips' return comes just nine months after a devastating Achilles tear, underscoring the resilience and tenacity of the young athlete.
A Remarkable Recovery
Phillips was on course for a breakout season before his injury struck during Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. With a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over his three NFL seasons, he was a rising star on the Dolphins' defensive line. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he tore his Achilles, an injury that typically sidelines players for nine to twelve months.
Reflecting on his recovery process, Phillips said, "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.” His commitment to recovery and rigorous rehab has indeed paid off as he is now set to return to the Dolphins' active roster.
Support System
The Dolphins' training and strength staff have played a critical role in Phillips' road to 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. I just, like I said, feel very fortunate to be back out here doing what I love again,” Phillips shared.
Guidance from Peers
Throughout his rehab, Phillips sought advice from several fellow NFL players who had endured 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 explained.
The collective experiences and encouragement from these athletes provided Phillips with critical reassurance. "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 added.
The Emotional Journey
Phillips' journey was not only physical but also emotional. Describing one of the most challenging moments, 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.”
Looking Ahead
As Phillips gears up to make his return, the Dolphins' defense is poised to benefit immensely from his presence. His activation from the PUP list is timely, as he would have missed at least four games if he had remained on the list during the final roster cuts in late August. With Bradley Chubb also in the process of recovering from an ACL tear, Phillips' return couldn't have come at a better moment.
Despite the departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent, the Dolphins' defensive line remains formidable with Phillips' return. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips has already made a significant impact, and his resilience and determination bode well for his continued success. As he steps back on the field, Phillips aims to solidify his role as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense, embodying the spirit of perseverance and excellence.