In a decisive and confident move, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah following veteran Shaquil Barrett's retirement. The newly inked deal highlights the organization’s belief in Ogbah's potential to impact the field significantly.
Adding to the optimism within the Dolphins camp is the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, mere months after he suffered a devastating Achilles tear. Phillips, a promising 24-year-old defensive end, was on the cusp of a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. His rapid recovery, just nine months from an injury that typically requires between nine to twelve months of rehabilitation, attests to his resilience and the support from the team's training and strength staff.
"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, underscoring the meticulous and disciplined approach he adopted during his rehabilitation.
The Role of the Dolphins' Support Team
The crucial role of the Dolphins' training and strength staff in Phillips' recovery cannot be overstated. "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 said, showing gratitude for the team’s unwavering support and expert guidance.
In addition to relying on the club's professionals, Phillips sought advice from several NFL players who had conquered similar injuries. His network included Shaq Barrett, Kirk Cousins, Vince Biegel, and Cam Akers. "I checked in with him, he's checked in with me throughout the process...Shaq [Barrett] was somebody I talked to, I talked to Kirk [Cousins]...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 elaborated on the diverse insights he gained from these experienced athletes.
Phillips' Return and Future Prospects
The decision to activate Phillips now is strategic, as leaving him on the PUP list beyond the final roster cuts in late August would have sidelined him for at least four games. His return promises to bolster a Dolphins defense that has seen significant changes, including the departure of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent and Bradley Chubb's ongoing recovery from an ACL tear suffered in Week 17.
Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips has shown glimpses of his potential, amassing 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. His journey from injury back to playing form has been marked by remarkable tenacity and a positive mindset. "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, providing insights into the mental and physical gains made during his recovery.
Optimism in Adversity
Phillips' reflections on his injury reveal a deep resilience and an unwavering drive to overcome adversity. "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,” he recounted, highlighting how his faith and determination transformed a potential setback into a driving force for his return.
As Jaelan Phillips gears up to make his comeback, the Dolphins and their fans have every reason to be hopeful. His diligent rehabilitation, the invaluable support from his team, and the insights gained from seasoned NFL peers place him in a strong position to continue his upward trajectory, further solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in Miami’s defensive lineup.