Pass rusher Jaelan Phillips' 2023 season ended on Black Friday due to a torn Achilles suffered in Miami's win over the New York Jets, dealing a significant blow to the Dolphins' defensive front.
Since then, Phillips has had one goal in mind: Get back on the field in a timely manner.
Phillips cleared a checkpoint on that road on Monday. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Phillips is being removed from the physically unable to perform list, making Phillips eligible to return to practice roughly eight and a half months after suffering the Achilles injury.
Phillips has been seen running well during rehab sessions in recent weeks, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported, giving reason to be encouraged about his outlook as the 2024 regular season approaches.
Typically, such a significant injury suffered in late November would delay a player's return, and Monday's news doesn't guarantee he'll be ready to go at the start of September. But it's still a notable point of progress for an edge rusher upon whom Miami would like to rely on in 2024 and paired with Penn State rusher Chop Robinson, who they selected in the first round of April's draft.
We'll continue to monitor Phillips' progress as the Dolphins near the start of the regular season.