Jaelan Phillips is officially on the road to recovery. The Miami Dolphins linebacker, whose season-ending Achilles injury was the subject of Tuesday’s emotional Hard Knocks: In Season episode, on Wednesday revealed a significant health update.
Injury Update for Miami Dolphins LB Jaelan Phillips
“Surgery was a success!! Day 1 of many 🙏🏾 I’m built for this,” Phillips wrote on Twitter.
Surgery was a success!! Day 1 of many 🙏🏾 I’m built for this
— Jaelan Phillips ;🕴🏾® (@JJPhillips15) November 29, 2023
Up next? A challenging rehabilitation that could take anywhere between six months to a year.
That timeline means it’s possible that Phillips will be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 season, but that’s no sure bet — particularly given how cautious the Dolphins’ medical staff is with injuries.
Nik Needham tore his Achilles midway through the 2022 season and didn’t return to play for a full year. So expect the Dolphins to err on the side of caution, particularly given the seriousness of the injury.
MORE: Are the Miami Dolphins a Sneaky Physical Team?
Players who tear their Achilles have a more uncertain future than those who rupture ligaments in their knee, and researchers found that more than a third of NFL players who suffer that injury never play again.
“Rate of [return to play] following primary Achilles tendon tears may be lower than previously published,” per a Brown University study. “However, for those able to return, performance only in the season immediately following injury appears to be affected; players return to preinjury levels if given the opportunity to play >1 season after injury.”
Phillips is determined to beat any odds he faces. In the aftermath of his injury, he told Hard Knocks the following:
“When this is all said and done, this is going to make me a stronger person because of it. I’m just trying to keep that positive mindset and start to attack rehab. Yeah, it’s going to be a long process, but I just know I’m a fighter. I’m going to keep fighting.”
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