In an emphatic display of their confidence, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following the retirement of Shaquil Barrett. This decisive move reflects the team's strategic planning and their unwavering belief in Ogbah's capabilities moving forward.
Simultaneously, the Dolphins are celebrating the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, marking an inspiring comeback just nine months after he sustained a devastating Achilles tear. Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, had been on track for a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. His recovery is a testament to the relentless efforts of the Dolphins’ exemplary 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 shared with palpable gratitude. “I just, like I said, feel very fortunate to be back out here doing what I love again.”
The road to recovery was neither short nor easy for Phillips. He took nine months to rehabilitate, a timeframe that aligns with the typical recovery window of nine to twelve months for Achilles tears. Throughout this arduous process, Phillips sought mentorship from several NFL players who had endured similar injuries. These interactions provided both practical advice and psychological solace.
“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,” Phillips explained.
Such stories of resilience have become an integral part of Phillips' journey. He spoke candidly about confronting the emotional aftermath of his injury, recalling a moment of profound introspection. “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 was crucial. Had he remained on the PUP list during the final roster cuts in late August, he would have missed at least four games. This activation not only underscores his physical readiness but also signifies the strategic calculus of the Dolphins' coaching staff.
As Phillips returns to the gridiron, he brings with him a record of consistent performance, including a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over his three NFL seasons since being drafted 18th overall in 2021. His return is anticipated to further fortify the Dolphins' defensive lineup, particularly in the wake of Christian Wilkins’ move to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent and with Bradley Chubb in the process of recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17.
Reflecting on the broader context of his recovery, Phillips noted, “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 Dolphins’ strategic decisions and their confidence in players like Phillips and Ogbah indicate a forward-looking approach. Phillips, now cleared to return to gameplay, embodies a narrative of resilience and excellence, poised to once again make a significant impact on the field.