Chris Perkins: Yes, Chubb and Phillips both could be 100% healthy for Dolphins’ opener

I’ve been greatly concerned about the Dolphins’ pass rush.

As you know, edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are both recovering from season-ending injuries. Without their pass rush, the defense that finished No. 10 in the league and had a franchise-record 54 sacks last season isn’t nearly as effective.

But I have good news, Dolphins fans.

After consulting with a couple of qualified professionals — football players, not doctors — there’s reason to think Chubb and Phillips could both be healthy and in the starting lineup for the Dolphins’ season opener in early September.

Yes, both.

It’s optimistic, but totally possible.

I consulted newly signed tight end Jody Fortson and newly signed linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

Consider this…

— Returning from an Achilles injury generally takes between six and nine months. Fortson, while playing for Kansas City, returned from an Achilles injury in six months;

— Returning from an ACL injury generally takes between nine and 12 months. Brooks, while playing for Seattle, returned from an ACL injury in eight months.

This is where things take an interesting turn.

If the Dolphins think it’s realistic both Chubb and Phillips are both healthy by opening day, that would mean they only need one more edge rusher, a mid-level guy, in free agency or the draft, someone to go along with recently-signed Shaq Barrett and provide depth. Think of the 2020 version of Andrew Van Ginkel, who had 5 1/2 sacks.

However, if the Dolphins don’t think it’s realistic both will be healthy by opening day, or that one of them won’t be 100% healthy until, say, midseason, that would mean they need a top-level guy, a high-profile free agent or a first- or second-round draft pick to supply additional pass-rushing punch. Think beyond Barrett, to perhaps the 2021 version of Phillips, the rookie who had 8 1/2 sacks.

If you listen to Fortson and Brooks, the optimistic view of the Chubb and Phillips return is realistic.

Let’s do the math.

Phillips, who had 6 1/2 sacks last season, is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury he sustained at the New York Jets on Nov. 24.

If Phillips returns in six months he’ll be back in May.

Chubb, who had 11 sacks last season, is recovering from an ACL injury he sustained at Baltimore on Dec. 31.

If Chubb returns in eight months, he’ll be back in August.

Here’s even better news.

Fortson said he wasn’t just fit to return to practice in a short amount of time, he said he was 100% healthy in a short amount of time.

“I tore my Achilles on Oct. 17 of 2021, and I was back on the field that February, so I kind of felt 100% by OTAs,” he said of the Organized Team Activities that occur in April and proceed through June minicamp.

Brooks, a Christian who was wearing a T-shirt that said “Seek Jesus,” said divine intervention aided his speedy recovery.

“It was just praying, honestly,” he said. “It wasn’t anything I did. I did the normal rehab protocol all week, but I think it was just God, honestly, healing me in the manner that he did.”

Here’s what really matters.

A study published a year ago in Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine regarding NFL players who sustained ACL injuries between 2013 and 2018 found that “ NFL players are severely affected by ACL injury, with only 28.5% still active in the league 3 years after the injury. Running backs, defensive linemen, and linebackers performed the worst after injury.”

Will Chubb and Phillips be the same post-injury as they were pre-injury?

And how long will it take them to get to 100%?

Remember, every game counts for this Dolphins team that, considering its 7-10 road record under coach Mike McDaniel, badly needs a good regular season record to get a home playoff game.

At the same time, you don’t want to rush either Chubb or Phillips back. And that’s been the Dolphins’ trend with injuries, to give the players ample time. They had that lesson reinforced last season when they admittedly allowed center Connor Williams to return too early. He sustained a setback and had to miss more time.

So there’s sufficient evidence the Dolphins need to be conservative on these returns.

Forston doesn’t have any insight into Phillips’ injury or recovery. But he, such as Dolphins fans, is hoping for the best.

“I’m praying for him in his recovery,” Fortson said. “I hope it works for him.

“It didn’t take that long. I was back running in 4 1/2 months. It didn’t really take that long.”