The Miami Dolphins finished the 2023 with the third most sacks in the NFL, but generating a similar amount of pressure this season could be tough.
Not only did the Dolphins lose defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency, the team’s top two edge rushers, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, are working their way back from season-ending Achilles and ACL tears, respectively.
While Mike McDaniel has shied away from giving a timetable for the return of Chubb and Phillips, new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has been impressed with what little he’s seen out of the latter.
“I’ve learned that he is an absolute freak,” Weaver said of Phillips on Friday. “He is a specimen of a human being. He is a phenomenal person and he is chomping at the bit to get out there on the field and play with his guys. So super excited.
“Mike [McDaniel] showed a clip today just how fast he was running in his rehab program so let’s just say we got excited seeing those numbers. … Faster than I’ve ever seen a dude that big run, let’s just say that.”
Phillips, 25, is currently on the Dolphins’ PUP list, making him ineligible to participate in training camp practices. The fourth-year pass rusher can, however, work individually on the sideline as part of his injury rehab.
Jaelan Phillips looking healthier every day👀
H/t: @WPBF_Yianni pic.twitter.com/ORDpf2q0gJ
— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) July 24, 2024
Despite the impressive progress Phillips appears to be making, being productive within a year of an Achilles repair is still a steep challenge. Pass rushers Shaquil Barrett and Dawuane Smoot suffered similar injuries during the 2022 season, but managed only 4.5 and 1.0 sacks, respectively, in 2023.
Back in 2015, Baltimore Ravens star edge rusher Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles in Week 1 and bounced back to record a respectable eight sacks in 2016.
Phillips will have the challenge of staging a similar comeback on a shorter timeline after suffering his injury on Black Friday in 2023. But if Dolphins coaches are to believe, it shouldn’t be ruled out.
