John

Phillips

A blocker with 58 career catches since entering the NFL in 2009, Phillips was facing long odds of cracking the Chiefs’ 53-man roster. He turns 32 in June.

A nine-year journeyman, Phillips has previously had unsuccessful stints with the Cowboys, Chargers, Broncos, Cardinals and Saints. If he lands on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster, it will purely be as a blocking tight end.

A Sunday X-ray and a Monday CT-Scan revealed no structural damage to Bennett’s ribs. He’s questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Giants. The Cowboys are probably better off with John Phillips backing up Jason Witten anyway.

Phillips’ role will increase with Martellus Bennett gone. “You will see him running down the field more than he used to, and then get more opportunities in the passing game,” Garrett promised. Phillips won’t get enough snaps and targets for fantasy consideration, but that could change if Jason Witten went down.

Witten visited his doctor on Tuesday morning. The exact results of his exam aren’t yet known, but it doesn’t sound like he received medical clearance. Although Witten is making the trip to New York, owners need to be making other plans. At this point, it would be a major surprise if he suits up Wednesday night. John Phillips is Witten’s backup and a desperation TE2 option at best.

Right now, rookies James Hanna and Andrew Szczerba are the only healthy tight ends on the roster. It’s possible the Cowboys could kick the tires on veteran free agent Jeremy Shockey. Still, Phillips’ injury isn’t known to be serious and he’s flashed solid pass-catching ability when given chances in practice. He’ll be a player for deep-leaguers to watch if he ends up starting Week 1.

Witten underwent another round of testing on Tuesday. Doctors can’t say that he’ll definitely be cleared in time for next Wednesday’s opener against the Giants, but the diagnosis was positive enough for a “questionable” tag. If the decision is left up to Witten, we know that he’ll play. He hasn’t missed a single game since 2003. John Phillips has been running as the first-team tight end in Witten’s absence.

Much like Martellus Bennett last season, Phillips will hit free agency looking for a place to emerge from Jason Witten’s shadow. The problem is that he’s not nearly as talented in the blocking or pass-catching game as his predecessor, and thus figures to find a soft market. The Cowboys will likely roll with James Hanna as their No. 2 tight end next season.

He’s fully expected to be ready for spring workouts, hinting at a minor scope. A torn ACL cost Phillips all of the 2010 season, but otherwise he’s never missed a game in his four-year career. Phillips is likely moving on in 2013 with James Hanna set to step in as Jason Witten’s backup.

Phillips is more of a pass catcher than a blocker, but has just 30 catches over 48 career games thanks to Jason Witten. He missed all of 2010 with a torn ACL. As a backup to Antonio Gates, Phillips won’t make a fantasy impact in 2013.