Phillips caught one of his two targets for an eight-yard touchdown in Sunday's win over the Browns.

The Chargers were hit hard by injuries to their wide receivers in this game, so Phillips had to play more than expected, and he responded with a huge red zone grab in the fourth quarter. But with Ladarius Green already back in action after missing one game due to a concussion and Antonio Gates set to return from his four-game suspension this week, Phillips is heading back to a reserve role.

Phillips caught all four of his targets for 35 yards starting in place of Ladarius Green on Sunday at Minnesota.

With Antonio Gates still serving his suspension and Green missing this game due to a concussion, Phillips was the next man up and represented himself very well. If Green is unable to clear himself before Week 4, Phillips figures to have a similar role in the upcoming game against the Browns.

The Chargers have signed Phillips.

In a corresponding move, the Chargers waived tackle Tyreek Burwell, with the addition of Phillips tied to the fact that Ladarius Green is dealing with a possible concussion.

Chargers TE John Phillips suffered a torn right ACL in December.

The extent of Phillips' injury had previously been unknown. He's a candidate to begin the season on reserve/PUP. The blocking specialist played 241 offensive snaps last season, catching just four passes for 30 yards. Phillips is under contract through 2015.

Chargers placed TE John Phillips on injured reserve with a right knee injury, ending his season.

TE Jake Byrne was promoted from the practice squad in a corresponding roster move. A pass catcher turned blocking specialist, Phillips had yet to miss a game this season, playing 241 snaps. He caught four passes for 30 yards. Still only 26, Phillips is signed through 2015.

Chargers agreed to terms with TE John Phillips, formerly of the Cowboys, on a three-year contract.

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. Redshirting behind Antonio Gates, Phillips won't make a fantasy impact in 2013.

Impending free agent TE John Phillips recently underwent left shoulder surgery.

ESPN Dallas does not expect the Cowboys to bring back impending free agent TE John Phillips.

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.

Cowboys backup TE John Phillips has missed the last week of practice due to an ankle injury.

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.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett plans to use No. 2 TE John Phillips in the vertical passing game this season.

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.

Cowboys TE John Phillips (ACL surgery) has ditched his knee brace in training camp.

"Don't need to wear one," Phillips said. "I trust it. It's good to go." Phillips is showing no ill effects from the surgery, but he's not playing quite as well as he did prior to the injury. Martellus Bennett is locked in as the No. 2 tight end.

Cowboys TE John Phillips (recovery from torn ACL) is feeling "completely healthy."

Great news for a player that had his 2010 season ended just as it was beginning when he tore his ACL in the Hall of Fame game. Still just 24, Phillips won't be fantasy relevant in Dallas as long as Jason Witten is still around and catching 90 balls a season.

John Phillips was more impressive than Martellus Bennett in last year's training camp, according to Josh Ellis of Dallascowboys.com.

Phillips tore his ACL in the Hall of Fame game last preseason, but he was looking like a good bet to pass Bennett for the No. 2 tight end gig. If Phillips can get back to 100 percent whenever this year's camp rolls around, he'll challenge Bennett again. Regardless, starter Jason Witten has not missed a game since 2003, leaving both off the fantasy radar.

Cowboys placed TE John Phillips (ACL tear) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Phillips is expected to undergo reconstructive surgery this week. With solid all-around skills, he had been pushing Martellus Bennett for the No. 2 tight end job before sustaining the injury in the Hall of Fame game in early August.

MRI results confirmed that Cowboys TE John Phillips tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday's Hall of Fame Game, reports ESPN Dallas.

He's lost for the season, and the Cowboys suddenly lack depth at the position. Kevin Brock suffered a severe ankle sprain after replacing Phillips. Martellus Bennett (ankle) should at least be back to full health shortly. With a strong start to camp, Phillips seemed poised to push the under-performing Bennett for the No. 2 job.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Cowboys TE John Phillips may have torn his ACL in Sunday night's Hall of Fame game.

Beat writer Todd Archer calls an ACL tear "likely" for Phillips, who did a superb Jason Witten impression with four grabs for 60 yards in the first half of Sunday's exhibition. He also executed a pair of highly successful run blocks. Losing Phillips for the year would be far from a death blow to Dallas' chances, but it'd be hugely disappointing after such a promising game.

The Cowboys are initially calling TE John Phillips' knee injury a "sprain."

It's routine for teams to call knee injuries sprains before testing reveals the actual extent. We should have an update on the emerging youngster by Monday.

Cowboys TE John Phillips left Sunday's Hall of Fame game in the second quarter with a knee injury.

He won't return. Phillips was on fire after the first-team offense departed, racking up 48 yards on three catches, laying productive blocks in the running game, and showing plenty of speed and awareness. Easily the MVP of the game's first half, Phillips' loss would be a blow to Dallas' impressive depth.

Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was noncommittal when asked if second-year TE John Phillips could eat into Martellus Bennett's playing time this season.

Bennett has an obvious talent edge, but Phillips impressed last season as an injury fill-in. "Every opportunity he gets, he seems to make the catch, make the block, do the little thing that helps our football team," said Garrett. Neither player will have fantasy value barring a Jason Witten injury.