In response to linebacker Jaelan Phillips’ season-ending injury, the Miami Dolphins are fortifying their defense by securing a deal with veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Pierre-Paul recently spent time on the New Orleans Saints practice squad and played one game this season, contributing two tackles in a Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Although the Dolphins have yet to officially announce the move, Pierre-Paul confirmed the news on his social media, expressing gratitude to the Saints and stating that he’s “coming home.” The 34-year-old pass rusher, originally from Deerfield Beach, Florida, has strong ties to the region, having played college football at South Florida.
The Dolphins’ pass rush faced a significant setback with Phillips’ Achilles injury in a recent victory over the New York Jets. Phillips, a standout on the defense, had tallied a team-high 6.5 sacks, along with 43 tackles and one interception.
While Pierre-Paul is in the later stages of his career, there is an expectation that he can still make valuable contributions to the Dolphins’ defense. With 94.5 sacks accumulated over his 14-year professional career, the former first-round pick brings a wealth of experience. Pierre-Paul boasts an impressive resume, including Super Bowl championships with the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with a First-Team All-Pro nod. His addition to the Dolphins’ roster is seen as a move to address the void left by Phillips and provide a veteran presence to bolster the team’s pass rush.
Sources: The #Dolphins are expected to sign free agent pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul off the #Saints practice squad and onto their 53-man roster. A big-name edge addition after the Jaelan Phillips injury.
The Florida native lands in Miami. pic.twitter.com/DXNNQrUPje
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2023
Leave a Reply