27 February 2024 , 04:00
1194
0
Miami Dolphins star Jaelan Phillips has given an update on his injury recovery three months after tearing his Achilles during a game against the New York Jets.
Phillips, 24, missed the last six games of the regular season and a wild-card round game with the Kansas City Chiefs due to the injury. Without their outside linebacker, the Dolphins fell in the first round for the second straight season under Mike McDaniel after again finishing second in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills.
The number 18 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft had never previously missed a game since turning pro. It is an injury that also prematurely curtailed a career year for the California native.
READ MORE: Tyreek Hill makes feelings crystal clear after Miami Dolphins trade suggestion
READ MORE: Tyreek Hill blames 'f****** bonehead' for mistakenly filing divorce petition
But Phillips isn't the only Dolphins player recovering from a long-term injury. Bradley Chubb is another, coming from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens. "We've been pushing each other hard," said Phillips about their joint rehab efforts.
Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl
Speaking publicly for the first time since his injury, Phillips was positive about his progress. "Check me out, man. No boot. No scooter," he told reporters at the Dolphins Challenge Cancer charity event.
"I don't know what the schedule is. All I know is I feel strong; I feel great. Just been attacking rehab. It's been awesome so far." 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. 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."
Phillips was playing well for the Dolphins before going down (Getty Images)Phillips added that the aim is to return in time for opening week. "Been locked in and just motivated to get back for the season," he said. "I guess the biggest thing I've taken out of it is just understanding that God has a bigger plan, and sometimes in life, things happen that it's hard to find a reason why, but why doesn't really matter, it's how you respond.
For me, just being able to keep my head up throughout this process, find some silver linings, and just understand that I can use this time to improve on other aspects of my life. It's been great so far."
Miami has yet to exercise the player's fifth-year rookie option, but Phillips openly addressed the team moving on from pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah and Xavien Howard last week. "It's going to be tough," he acknowledged.
"Me, personally, Emmanuel was somebody who had me under his wings since I came in as a rookie. It's really unfortunate to see him go, but the team's going to rally around each other. Definitely going to miss my brother.
"Same thing with X (Howard). Those two were staples on this team for quite a while." Once fully fit again, Phillips will return to a different-looking defence.