This time last year, second-year tight end John Phillips looked poised to challenge Martellus Bennett for the second tight end spot behind the all-everything Jason Witten, and emerge from the season as a household name in Dallas. Instead, he suffered a torn ACL in the team’s first preseason game, ending his season before it ever had a chance to begin.
Now, Phillips is back on the field, shaking off the rust that tends to gather when a guy goes nearly a year without seeing any contact.
"I've got to work into it," said Phillips, per the Dallas Morning News. "I haven't played football in a year. So, it's going to take a little bit to get back in and feel completely comfortable."
Tight ends coach John Garrett sounds less guarded than Phillips himself when asked about Phillips’ progress.
"He hasn't skipped a beat," Garrett said. "John is the type of guy who embraces adversity. He worked really hard to get back."
Unsurprisingly, Phillips is glad to finally be back--and a year later, to build on a rookie season in which he posted seven catches and 62 yards.
“I have been ready to go,” he said.
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