Miami Dolphins Bet on Emmanuel Ogbah, Welcome Back Jaelan Phillips
In a notable decision that reflects their trust in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah following the retirement of Shaquil Barrett. This move comes at a time when the Dolphins are also celebrating another significant milestone: the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, just nine months after a devastating Achilles tear.
A Remarkable Comeback
Jaelan Phillips, a 24-year-old defensive end, was on the brink of a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign. His return to the field is particularly impressive given the nature of his injury. NFL players typically require between nine to twelve months to rehabilitate from an Achilles tear, and Phillips has managed to recover right at the nine-month mark.
The Dolphins' training and strength staff played a pivotal role in Phillips' rehabilitation. "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 said.
Support and Guidance
Throughout his rehab process, Phillips sought advice from several 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,” he recounted.
This network of support has been instrumental in Phillips' mental and physical recovery. "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.
Highs and Lows
Phillips' journey back to health was not without its emotional challenges. "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 reflected.
His activation off the PUP list is timely, as remaining on it during the final roster cuts in late August would have meant missing at least four games. This return not only boosts Phillips' morale but also fortifies the Dolphins' defense, especially with Bradley Chubb still recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17.
New Challenges and Opportunities
Christian Wilkins' move to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent has opened up opportunities for other players to step into more prominent roles. Drafted 18th overall in 2021, Phillips has accumulated a total of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. His return to gameplay will be closely watched as he looks to continue striving for excellence and solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in the Dolphins' defense.
For Dolphins fans, the re-signing of Emmanuel Ogbah, coupled with Jaelan Phillips' return, offers a beacon of hope and a testament to resilience and dedication. As Phillips himself put it, "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.”
All eyes will be on Phillips and the Dolphins as they navigate the upcoming season, celebrating the return of talents and the promise of new beginnings.