Jaelan Phillips suffered a torn Achilles less than nine months ago that ended his 2023 season, but the Miami Dolphins pass rusher is already back on the practice field preparing to play in 2024.
He also appears to be on the field when Miami begins the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Tuesday, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver told reporters that Phillips looks completely healthy, though he stopped short of saying the outside linebacker is now full steam ahead.
“I think we have to listen to his body, right?” Weaver said. “At the end of the day, you don’t want to put numbers on this kid, but we know we have to be smart about it so he can maintain his performance throughout the season.
“But I’m certainly not ruling this kid out. You saw how quickly he recovered from the Achilles injury, and he looks like a manchild out there when he’s gone. … He’s looked great. He’s great. He looks like the Jaelan Phillips we all expect.”
A healthy and productive version of Phillips would be a welcome sight for the Dolphins. Bradley Chubb is still on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in the 2023 season. Otherwise, Miami will rely on a combination of Emmanuel Ogbah, Quinton Bell and rookies Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara to generate pressure from the outside.
Phillips had 15.5 sacks in his first two NFL seasons and was coming off his best year in 2023 before his injury. While minor back and oblique muscle problems sidelined him for three of the first five weeks, he had six sacks in five games before his Achilles tendon tear.
