Getty Image / Mike Ehrmann
The Miami Dolphins are absolutely a Super Bowl contender this year, featuring one of the league’s best offenses and an emerging defense with a lot of talent. But, their chances took a step back during their 34-13 win over the Jets on Black Friday, as stud edge Jaelan Phillips went down with what appears to be a season-ending Achilles injury.
There’s no sugarcoating an injury like that at this point in the season. With the trade deadline having passed long ago, there simply aren’t a lot of ways for a team to add a difference maker at a really important position like edge.
But, the Dolphins are going to try to get some production from a move to address the injury situation. And, they did that on Monday, as they’re expected to sign former All-Pro Jason Pierre-Paul.
The defensive end announced the news via an Instagram post Monday evening.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0K7m_gsrNy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Pierre-Paul was a free agent for much of this year, but had been signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints in mid-November. He made his team debut on Sunday, and had one solo tackle, before being put back on the practice squad. Players are allowed to be signed off the practice squad of other teams.
Many of you might think that Jason Pierre-Paul is washed. And, he very well may be. But, it wasn’t that long ago when he was a massive part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning team back in the 2020 NFL season. That year, he had 9.5 sacks, and two more in the postseason.
But, in 2021 and 2022, Pierre-Paul had just 5.5 total sacks in 26 games, far below the level of production needed from a pass-rush specialist.
Again, the Dolphins have limited options here, and they are hoping Pierre-Paul can recapture some of the form that’s helped him make three Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team, and win two Super Bowls. He has 94.5 sacks in his career. Just 41 players have ever reached 100 sacks.
The Dolphins (8-3) travel to the Commanders this weekend. If he can get up to speed fast enough, he will have an opportunity to add to that sack total against one of the most sack-prone teams in the NFL.