Dallas Cowboys Phillips was selected by the
Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (208th overall) of the
2009 NFL draft and surprised observers by making the team. In
2009, he had seven catches for 62 yards, while mostly being used as a blocking
tight end. In the
2010 preseason, he was impressing the coaching staff with his skills as a receiver and his ability to take different assignments, including the
H-Back role. His performance was starting to push
Martellus Bennett for the backup
tight end job behind
Jason Witten, but he was lost for the year in the preseason opener, when he suffered a season-ending
ACL tear. It has been speculated that he was never the same player following this injury. The
2011, he returned in a backup role, posting career-highs with 15 receptions for 101 yards, 15
special teams tackles (second on the team) and one forced fumble. In
2012, Bennett left in
free agency and Phillips had a solid season as the backup tight end behind Witten. He started nine out of 16 games, serving mainly as an
H-Back or blocking
tight end. He had eight receptions for 55 yards, one touchdown, six
special teams tackles and one fumble recovery. He was not re-signed after the season.
San Diego Chargers On March 12,
2013, Phillips signed as a
free agent with the
San Diego Chargers. He was used as a blocking specialist until being placed on the
injured reserve list, after suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during the fifteenth game against the
Oakland Raiders. He appeared in 15 games (six starts), posting four receptions for 30 yards, one touchdown and four
special teams tackles. In
2014, he came back to play in all of the 16 games with one start, while collecting one reception for a one-yard touchdown and 10
special teams tackles. In
2015, he was released on September 5, only to be re-signed five days later, after
Ladarius Green suffered his second concussion of the year and
Antonio Gates was still serving an NFL suspension. He was the starter in the third and fourth game of the season, making a critical
touchdown reception against the
Cleveland Browns. After Gates returned in the fifth game, Phillips was used mainly for blocking purposes. He played in 16 games (five starts), while posting 10 receptions for 69 yards, one touchdown and five
special teams tackles.
Denver Broncos On July 28,
2016, Phillips was signed as a
free agent by the
Denver Broncos. He overcame a serious ankle injury he suffered in his second day in
training camp to make the team. On November 5, he was released by the Broncos. He appeared in eight games with three starts, registering five receptions for 40 yards and one touchdown.
New Orleans Saints On November 7,
2016, he was claimed off waivers by the
New Orleans Saints. He appeared in eight games (four starts), making five receptions for 32 yards, while contributing as a blocking
tight end and on
special teams. On March 29,
2017, Phillips re-signed with the Saints on a one-year contract. On August 29, Phillips was placed on injured reserve, and later released on September 8. He was re-signed on December 19, but was once again released on December 29. He was re-signed again on January 3, 2018. He appeared in one regular season game and did not record any stat. On August 5,
2018, Phillips re-signed with the Saints. He was released on September 1.
Arizona Cardinals On October 30,
2018, he was signed by the
Arizona Cardinals to serve as a blocking tight end. He appeared in the final eight games (four starts), making three receptions for 38 yards. He was not re-signed after the season.
Kansas City Chiefs On May 20,
2019, Phillips signed with the
Kansas City Chiefs. On May 28, he was released after spending eight days in training camp. He finished his career after appearing in 120 games with 43 starts, while recording 58 receptions for 426 yards and five touchdowns. ==Personal life==