In a significant move that underscores their confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah following Shaquil Barrett's retirement. The move comes on the heels of another major development for the team as they celebrate the return of Jaelan Phillips, activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list just nine months after suffering a devastating Achilles tear.
Jaelan Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, was on track for a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. The young player’s progress had been a bright spot for the Dolphins before this setback. However, the activation marks a valiant recovery journey, one that Phillies credits to both the Dolphins' exceptional training and strength staff.
"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," Phillips revealed. "I just, like I said, feel very fortunate to be back out here doing what I love again."
The challenge of an Achilles tear is daunting for any athlete, often requiring nine to twelve months of rehabilitation. Phillips’ recovery within the shortest time frame of that estimate speaks volumes about his dedication and the support from his team. Throughout the rehab process, he sought advice from several NFL players who had undergone similar injuries, further bolstering his resilience.
"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," Phillips said, referring to his conversations with Shaquil Barrett. "Shaq 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’ interactions with these athletes were not just about practical advice but provided much-needed emotional 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%," he noted. "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 was fueled by a motivational mindset from the onset of his injury. "Probably the highest I've been in my NFL career, and then to be humbled just like that, it was devastating," he recalled. "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."
Had Phillips remained on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August, he would have missed at least four more games. His timely return is not just a testament to his undying spirit but also a significant boost for the Dolphins, who have faced their share of roster adjustments. Defensive end Bradley Chubb is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained in Week 17, and Christian Wilkins has moved to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent.
Since being drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips has amassed an impressive record with a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. His return to gameplay is eagerly anticipated by both fans and teammates, as he continues to strive for excellence, solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense.
The resilience of the young defensive end and the strategic moves by the Dolphins' management underscore a promising chapter ahead. Emmanuel Ogbah's re-signing and Jaelan Phillips' return from injury bring renewed hope and strength to the team, setting a robust foundation for the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming NFL season.