Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Emmanuel Ogbah Following Shaquil Barrett’s Retirement
In a move that highlights their confidence in his recovery, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah in the wake of Shaquil Barrett's retirement. The decision underscores the team’s strong belief in Ogbah's ability to bounce back and contribute significantly to their defensive lineup.
Jaelan Phillips Activated from PUP List
Alongside the news of Ogbah’s re-signing, the Dolphins are celebrating the activation of Jaelan Phillips from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Phillips' return is a testament to his resilience following a severe Achilles tear just nine months ago. The 24-year-old defensive end, who was on the brink of a breakout season before his injury in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL campaign, will rejoin his team and is poised to make a significant impact once again.
Phillips attributes his recovery to the dedicated efforts of the Dolphins’ 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 said. “I just, like I said, feel very fortunate to be back out here doing what I love again.”
A Long Road Back
The journey back to the field has not been easy for Phillips. He spent the nine-month recovery period seeking advice from various NFL players who had experienced similar injuries. “I checked in with him, he’s checked in with me throughout the process,” Phillips mentioned. “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.”
These conversations provided Phillips with invaluable insights into overcoming such a physically and mentally taxing injury. “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. 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.”
Determined Spirit
Phillips’ determination and positive mindset played crucial roles in his recovery. Reflecting on the moment he got injured, Phillips recalls a sense of determination. “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.”
Looking Forward
With Phillips back and ready to contribute, the Dolphins' defense is set to receive a significant boost. His career thus far shows great promise, from being drafted 18th overall in 2021 to amassing impressive stats of 22 sacks and 24 tackles for loss over three NFL seasons. Now, as he gears up to return to gameplay, Phillips is more determined than ever to achieve excellence and reaffirm his pivotal role in the Dolphins' defense.
The team, however, faces challenges on multiple fronts. Bradley Chubb is currently recovering from an ACL tear sustained in Week 17, and Christian Wilkins has moved on to join the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent. These shifts make Phillips' return all the more crucial as the Dolphins strive to maintain a formidable defensive unit.
The re-signing of Emmanuel Ogbah and the activation of Jaelan Phillips mark critical developments for the Dolphins. Their resilience and commitment to recovery promise to play vital roles as the team looks to navigate the upcoming season. Miami fans have much to look forward to as they witness the return of key players whose dedication and hard work epitomize the spirit of the game.