With great expectations going into the 2024 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins will need its defense to stay up with a highly visible offense. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, two outside linebackers were placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list, so they won’t be ready to play right away.
Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are both recovering from serious late-season injuries, so they won’t be able to go full steam into training camp. Guard Isaiah Wynn and outside linebacker Cameron Goode were also placed on the PUP list, something that no NFL player wants to be on. Wynn and Goode are still recuperating from their injuries from 2023.
Relatedly, running back Salvon Ahmed was added to the list of active injuries that do not include football. Ahmed’s condition is the result of a minor medical problem unconnected to the foot injury that ended his season in November.
On December 31, Chubb had a torn right ACL injury in Baltimore. The Dolphins are still optimistic that he will be able to play again in the first part of the campaign. They haven’t, however, offered a deadline. After an ACL injury, players usually require at least nine months to recover.
With 11 sacks in the previous season, the 6-foot-4, 268-pound edge rusher proved to be one of the NFL’s most influential players. In addition, he contributed 73 total tackles and 70 quarterback pressures. When healthy, sixth-year veteran Chubb is one of the greatest players in the game. However, he has been injured frequently.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected him with the fifth overall pick. During that season, he recorded 12 sacks and placed third in the AP defensive player of the year vote. He took part in all 16 games as well. However, in the following three seasons, he only played in 25 games.
Before getting hurt, Chubb had made it to game number sixteen of the previous campaign. In the final seconds of the Dolphins’ 56-19 loss against the Ravens, coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged responsibility for leaving Chubb on the field, as reported by the Associated Press.
“Looking back, if I had known he was going to get hurt, I would not have wanted him out there at all,” McDaniel remarked. “It doesn’t appear at all clever.”
Furthermore, McDaniel stated to si.com earlier this year that he is not pressing Chubb to return.
“Do you recall the statement I made to you all during the season regarding Jalen Ramsey and the lack of timelines?” stated McDaniel. Since you guys didn’t want to discuss it, I believe the after-action report went well. Not a schedule. He returned sooner than you guys anticipated.
It comes from a psychological perspective as well. You don’t want individuals pursuing the incorrect goals. Jalen Ramsey is the reason I’m bringing him up. Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are two extreme examples of why we should be careful that competitors aren’t chasing timelines because, as competitors, they will meet those timelines at the risk of their bodies. We therefore don’t have timelines for those two in particular.
Regarding Phillips, he appeared on social media this week, sporting a sharp appearance in workouts. In April, ESPN was informed by 6-5, 263-pound fourth-year player Phillips that he would be prepared for the season.
While Goode suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 17, Wynn is still recovering from a quadriceps injury that ended his season last October.