Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Ogbah, Welcome Back Jaelan Phillips
In a remarkable turn of events that accentuates their faith in player resilience and recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah after Shaquil Barrett's retirement. This roster adjustment signals a renewed confidence in their defensive lineup.
In addition to the re-signing of Ogbah, the Dolphins are celebrating the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This comes just nine months after Phillips sustained a devastating Achilles tear that threatened to derail his promising career.
Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, was primed for a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. Despite the setback, his journey back to the field is a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of the Dolphins' medical and strength staff.
A Patient and Determined Recovery
"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 shared, reflecting on his extensive recovery process.
Phillips demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to his rehabilitation, taking nine months to recover fully from an Achilles tear. This timeline aligns with the typical recovery period for NFL players, which ranges from nine to twelve months. Throughout this period, Phillips consistently sought advice from several NFL peers who had navigated 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,” he said.
Support Systems and Mental Fortitude
The Dolphins' training and strength staff played a crucial role in Phillips' recovery, a point he emphasized with visible gratitude. "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 noted.
Phillips' activation is not just a win for him but also for the Dolphins who strategically placed him on the PUP list during final roster cuts in late August. This maneuver meant Phillips missed at least four games, a small price for ensuring his full recovery.
The mental aspect of recovery was equally significant for Phillips. His determination and positive outlook were evident early on, "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."
Phillips also highlighted the invaluable advice and reassurance he received from other athletes who had recovered from similar injuries. "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 said.
Looking Forward
With Phillips' return, coupled with Bradley Chubb's ongoing recovery from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17, the Dolphins are gearing up to fortify their defensive depth. Meanwhile, they will feel the absence of Christian Wilkins, who has transitioned to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent.
Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Jaelan Phillips has already made an impressive mark with a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. His return to gameplay not only bodes well for his individual career but also promises to solidify his role as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense.
As Dolphins fans eagerly await the next chapter in Phillips' career, they can take solace in knowing that his resilience and unwavering dedication will continue to shine on the field, inspiring both teammates and supporters alike.