The Miami Dolphins are adding depth to their defense following linebacker Jaelan Phillips’ season-ending injury. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins agreed to a deal with veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul.
Pierre-Paul will join the Dolphins after recently spending time on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. The three-time Pro Bowler played in one game this season, recording two tackles in a 15-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12.
While the Dolphins haven’t yet announced the move, Pierre-Paul himself confirmed the news on his social media. He thanked the Saints’ organization and said he was “coming home.” The 34-year-old player is a Deerfield Beach, Florida, native and played college football with South Florida.
The Dolphins’ pass rush has taken a big hit last week when Phillips tore his Achilles in a win over the New York Jets. The 24-year-old player was one of Miami’s best players on defense, having a team-high 6.5 sacks alongside 43 tackles and one interception.
While Pierre-Paul is in the twilight of his career, it is expected that he could still help the Dolphins when called upon. The former first-round pick has 94.5 sacks in his 14 years as a pro and has recorded 631 tackles. He was a Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has a First-Team All-Pro nod on his resume.
