The Miami Dolphins experienced a disappointing conclusion to their promising season, exiting the playoffs in the wild-card round against the Kansas City Chiefs. For veteran player Jaelan Phillips, however, the nightmare began earlier in the regular season when he missed the final six games due to a season-ending injury.
As Tua Tagovailoa’s team looks ahead, leaving the past behind, veteran linebacker Jaelan Phillips has hinted at a potential comeback to the field, offering hope to his fans for the upcoming season.
Jaelan Phillips’s injury update
Jaelan Phillips has been making strides in his rehabilitation process following the Achilles tear he suffered three months ago, according to reports.
Jaelan Phillips making progress in his rehab three months after Achilles tear. https://t.co/Wrof4Mmtqp
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 25, 2024
During the Dolphins’ matchup against the New York Jets, Phillips sustained a right leg injury in the fourth quarter. He suddenly collapsed while stepping out of his stance on the turf, clutching his leg in pain. He was immediately removed from the field.
Head coach Mike McDaniel later confirmed that an MRI revealed a season-ending torn Achilles for the edge rusher. In response, the Dolphins promptly signed Jason Pierre-Paul to their practice squad.
Prior to his injury, Phillips had been on a hot streak, recording a sack in five consecutive games. Unfortunately, for the injury, he joined the list of athletes who have suffered injuries on the turf field at MetLife Stadium, including the likes of Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Rodgers reached out to Phillips, extending his support during this challenging period.
Despite facing a daunting road to recovery, the Dolphins’ player has shown determination to overcome this setback and emerge stronger.
When will Jaelan Phillips return from injury?
No specific timeline has been provided for Jaelan Phillips’ return, and considering the nature of the injury and its timing, his availability for the beginning of the 2024 season remains uncertain.
The prospect of being fully ready for the Dolphins’ offseason program in a few months seems improbable, with a more realistic goal being his readiness for the regular season, which is seven months away.
Over the weekend, Phillips was spotted walking in tennis shoes at the Dolphins Challenge Cancer event, showcasing progress in his recovery journey.
In a video shared on social media in February, Phillips exhibited significant progress by walking without a boot for the first time since surgery. During that time, he expressed his positive feelings, saying his rehab has been “awesome so far”.
“I don’t know what the schedule is. All I know is I feel strong. I feel great. Just attacking this rehab has been awesome so far.”
A status update from @TackleCancer board member Jaelan Phillips pic.twitter.com/XqN8HhRu2I
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) February 24, 2024
After dedicating nearly three months to rehabilitation, the Dolphin’s defensive lineman has expressed his eagerness to return to the field for the season opener.
“Honestly, I haven’t had any bad days throughout this whole process. Since surgery, I’ve been locked in and just motivated to get back for the season,” he said, per Yahoo Sports.
It will remain to be seen if the Dolphins can kick off the season with their vet linebacker.
