Jordan

Phillips

He was on injured reserve after a disastrous first few games for the Cowboys. Per Phillips’ Instagram, he appears to be headed back to the Bills.

When Phillips was asked about his injury he said, “I don’t know. That’s above my pay grade. You have to ask the people making the decisions.” It certainly seems like this was a calculated decision by the Cowboys to keep Phillips on the team while getting another DT on the field on Sundays. We’ll have to see what kind of role Phillips returns to in four weeks. Carlos Watkins was signed to the active roster to take Phillips’ place.

Lawson becomes the latest veteran lineman to join the Cowboys after they went out and traded for Giants defensive tackle Jordan Phillips last season. Lawson saw limited playing time with the Jets last season, appearing in just six games while totaling five tackles and no sacks. Lawson, 29, was a healthy scratch in several of the Jets’ games last year and voiced his displeasure over last year’s lack of playing time. We’ll see if he can find a way to contribute more to the Cowboys, who are in need of help along the defensive front.

The rare trade between rivals occurred, with the Cowboys adding DT Jordan Phillips from the Giants. It’s a low risk deal for the Cowboys, who add depth to their defensive line. For the Giants, Phillips was on the roster bubble anyways, so they take a late round pick swap and move into the sixth round. The 31-year-old tallied 2.5 sacks last season for the Bills while playing in 14 games and starting nine. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports Jerry Jones said the team was looking for more nose tackles, and now they add Phillips for depth up the middle.

Phillips has appeared in 26 games for the Bills over the last two seasons while starting 10. The veteran defensive tackle is now heading into his 10th season and coming off a year in which he totaled 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two TFLs. Phillips rebuilt his career with the Bills in 2019 when he surprised with a 9.5 sack season, but hasn’t had more than three sacks in any year since. He’ll provide valuable depth to the Giants’ interior but shouldn’t be viewed as an impact player at this point in his career.

It’s possible the deal is worth up to $3 million, but we won’t know for sure until the details of the contract are announced. Phillips rejoined the Bills on a one-year deal last offseason. He started one of the 12 games he appeared in, totaling 20 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three TFLs. He is currently recovering from shoulder surgery but is expected to be ready for training camp.

Phillips played through a torn rotator cuff down the stretch for the Bills. The unrestricted free agent will probably have a later-developing market due to the offseason surgery. An eight-year vet, Phillips will turn 31 in September and could find a rotational role, whether it’s in Buffalo or elsewhere.

The Bills are up by four touchdowns, so Phillips will likely get the rest of the game off. He has been out for the past two weeks because of a hamstring injury. It’s safe to assume Phillips reaggravated the issue versus Pittsburgh.

Phillips will join a number of key Bills defensive starters on the sideline for an important Week 3 matchup with the red-hot Dolphins. Phillips’ absence could be somewhat meaningful for Raheeem Mostert, who last week took over as Miami’s primary ball carrier. Pro Football Focus graded Phillips as the 21st best defense tackle through two weeks.

Phillips looked like a second-round bust before the Bills plucked him off waivers during the 2018 season. He played another year in Buffalo before leaving for the Cardinals in free agency, but he was cut loose by Arizona on Wednesday. He should provide rotational snaps along the defensive line.