The good news for the Miami Dolphins is that Jaelan Phillips is recovering ahead of schedule. The 24-year-old linebacker was seen walking unaided again three months after rupturing his Achilles.
He still has a long way to go to get back to 100 percent, but Jaelan Phillips is determined to make a comeback next season. It’s a good thing, though, that he has been attacking this major setback with a great mindset.
“It’s definitely different. It’s something that’s kind of new to me because I’ve never had a lower-extremity injury like that — long term, at least,” said Phillips via the South Florida Sun Sentinel last Saturday. “So it’s been cool, it’s been a new experience learning my body and figuring out what to do is best for me. So it’s been great.
Jaelan Phillips’ abbreviated 2023 campaign
Before injuring his Achilles in Week 12 against the Jets, Jaelan Phillips was on pace to have a career season, as he tallied 43 combined (28 solo) tackles, seven of which were for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and one interception.
Before the Achilles injury, Phillips had never missed a game since joining the NFL.
He then missed the last six games of the regular season and a wild-card round game with the Kansas City Chiefs due to injury. Without Jaelan Phillips, the Miami Dolphins lost to the first round for the second straight season under Mike McDaniel.
Jaelan Phillips is not the only Miami Dolphins player recovering from a long-term injury, as Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens.
“We’ve been pushing each other hard. We love each other, and we’re just motivating each other always and just getting each other right,” Phillips said about Bradley Chubb.
Jaelan Phillips is playing for his next contract
While Jaelan Phillips is on the road to recovery, the Miami Dolphins will have to make a tough decision regarding his long-term future with the squad since they have until May 2 to choose whether they’ll trigger the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
“Been locked in and just motivated to get back for the season. I guess the biggest thing I’ve taken out of it is just understanding that God has a bigger plan and sometimes life, things happen that it’s hard to find a reason why, but why doesn’t really matter, it’s how you respond,” he added.