The Miami Dolphins had some bright moments during the 2023 NFL season, but one of the worst was when linebacker Jaelan Phillips suffered a torn Achilles against the New York Jets in Week 12.
The injury ended his season and was a blow to Miami’s chances of making some noise in the AFC. However, with the 2024 season approaching, the 25-year-old appears to be on the right track.
He was recently able to play a full 18 holes of golf for the first time since the injury.
Jaelan Phillips recovery journey update:
He just golfed his first 18 holes since the injury. Phillips is looking reallyyyyy healthy🔥 pic.twitter.com/wkBcLSJl3A— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) June 23, 2024
It’s a positive sign for Phillips, who figures to be a big factor for the Dolphins this season if he can pick up where he left off.
The former first-round pick was on pace to set several career-highs last season before he suffered his injury. In just eight games, he was able to rack up 6.5 sacks, 43 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits.
The injury also took a chance away from Phillips to taste the playoffs for the second time in his career after he had an impressive showing in the playoffs the season before. In the 2022 season, he came to play in Miami’s lone playoff game, totaling 0.5 sacks, nine combined tackles, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits against the Buffalo Bills.
In both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Dolphins reached the playoffs but lost in the first round. Certainly, nothing would be sweeter for Phillips than to help the team get back to that stage in the upcoming season — with a different result this time around.
Phillips, who was drafted in 2021, will be playing in his fourth NFL season this year. With his future in mind, it will be a big season for him to show his value to the Dolphins and the rest of the league. There will likely be a lot of eyeballs on him as he tries to prove that his devastating injury won’t be noticeable in his play moving forward.
On Sept. 8, Miami will open its 2024 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, giving Phillips a chance to get a warm welcome if he’s ready to play.
