Following an intra-NFC East trade over the summer, Jordan Phillips has now been released from a second team within the division. The Cowboys opted to part ways with the veteran defensive tackle on Tuesday.
The Giants had initially sent Phillips to Dallas in August, but after a stint on injured reserve early in the season, he saw only limited action with the Cowboys. Phillips, 32, appeared in just two games with Dallas, fulfilling the terms of the trade with New York despite limited impact on the field. Though Phillips had contemplated retirement after last season, he had signed a one-year, $1.79 million deal with the Giants. New York later sent Phillips and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 sixth-rounder.
Dallas had designated Phillips for a potential return from IR but ultimately decided against reactivating him, preserving one of their activation slots. Phillips had another week to be added back to the 53-man roster, but his release closes that window. So far, the Cowboys have only activated DaRon Bland from IR this season, leaving seven activations available for the latter half of the season.
Phillips spent the previous two years with the Bills, rejoining Buffalo after his time with the Cardinals ended. Arizona released Phillips in 2022, leading him back to the Bills, where he had previously been a contributor. Phillips’ standout 9.5-sack season in 2019 earned him a three-year, $30 million deal with the Cardinals, though it proved to be an outlier in terms of pass-rushing production. The Bills, however, relied on him as a regular defensive presence upon his return.
DaQuan Jones’ pectoral injury last season opened a starting role for Phillips with the Bills, but after logging nine starts for the AFC East champions, a wrist dislocation sidelined him. More wrist issues placed him on IR this year, though Phillips contended he was not injured and challenged the move. Regardless, the transaction stood, and Phillips ultimately will not make his way off IR with Dallas.
