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Phillip Tanner | Running Back

Team: Dallas Cowboys
Age / DOB:  (24) / 8/8/1988
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 218
College: Middle Tennessee State
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

ESPN Dallas considers RB Phillip Tanner the odd man out after the Cowboys drafted Joseph Randle with the No. 151 pick.
Owner Jerry Jones has already proclaimed Randle as DeMarco Murray's backup, so Tanner will have to fight Lance Dunbar for No. 3 duties. Beat writer Calvin Watkins believes Tanner has fallen out of favor, and will lose his roster spot to FB Lawrence Vickers. Tanner's Dynasty light is flickering. May 6 - 10:24 AM
Source: ESPN Dallas

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Player News

Date:
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

DallasCowboys.com believes RB Phillip Tanner's chance with the Cowboys may have "come and gone."

Tanner fell behind Lance Dunbar on the depth chart in November, and never moved back up. DallasCowboys.com's Bryan Broaddus believes it was because of Tanner's struggles in pass protection, and even on special teams. That spells doom for a reserve back who's currently due $555,000 in 2013.
Source: dallascowboys.com
Feb 12 - 3:47 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Coach Jason Garrett attributed Phillip Tanner's Week 9 demotion to special teams duties.

Garrett apparently didn't want to overwork Tanner on offense, preferring instead to go with Lance Dunbar as the change-of-pace back. ESPN Dallas believes Dunbar is "shiftier and quicker" than fill-in starter Felix Jones, though the veteran is expected to draw the start again in Week 10.
Related: Lance Dunbar
Source: ESPN Dallas
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 06:14:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Phillip Tanner played behind Lance Dunbar in the Cowboys' Week 9 loss to the Falcons.

In a surprise depth chart change, Dunbar was the one rotating with starter Felix Jones. He ended up with eight carries for 26 yards compared to Tanner's one rush for zero yards. With Jones appearing to emerge from the game healthy and DeMarco Murray (foot) a possibility for Week 10, owners can safely move on from Tanner.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 08:44:00 AM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Phillip Tanner carried the ball twice for zero yards in Dallas' Week 8 loss to the Giants.

He added one catch for 13 yards. Both of Tanner's carries came from the Giants' one-yard line, but he could convert neither into a score. With DeMarco Murray possibly on track for a Week 9 return, Tanner's probably no longer worth a speculative-bench spot.
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 08:38:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Phillip Tanner has taken "plenty" of first-team practice reps this week.

Tanner tied a career-high with 13 carries last week while playing two more snaps than Felix Jones. If one of Jones' various injuries knocks him out of Sunday's game versus the Giants, Tanner will finish as the feature back. Rotoworld ranks him No. 34 among running back options for Week 8.
Related: Felix Jones
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 06:17:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner played more snaps (35) than Felix Jones (33) at Carolina in Week 7.

Jones saw 20 touches to Tanner's 14, but was banged up several times in the game. Tanner saw six of the final eight carries. DeMarco Murray (foot) is doubtful to play in Week 8. Jones is expected to start, but will be playing through a neck strain in addition to the knee injury. Tanner will have flex value again versus the Giants.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 06:19:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Phillip Tanner was held to just 30 yards on 13 carries and eight yards on one reception at Carolina in Week 7.

Tanner was used as a "breather" back early on before picking up eight carries as the clock killer in the fourth quarter. He managed just 2.3 yards per carry, as the Panthers shut down Dallas' ground attack. Regardless of DeMarco Murray's (foot) status, Tanner can be dropped in 12-team leagues heading into Week 8 versus the Giants.
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 04:51:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Coach Jason Garrett suggested that Phillip Tanner will have a significant role behind Felix Jones at Carolina this week.

Garrett expressed confidence in Jones' ability to run inside and outside, but he's had just two 20-carry games in his career. Expect Tanner to spell Jones for a series or two in each half, which could lead to 8-12 touches. He's a desperation flex option in fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 10:50:00 AM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner played on 16-of-89 snaps in Sunday's loss to the Ravens.

DeMarco Murray lasted 22 snaps before spraining his foot and Felix Jones was limited to 49 by some cramping. Tanner played well ahead of Lance Dunbar (two snaps), rushing nine times for 31 yards. The hard-running 2011 undrafted free agent will serve as "Fragile" Felix's backup against the Panthers on Sunday.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 09:44:00 AM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner rushed nine times for 31 yards as Dallas fell to Baltimore in Week 6.

Tanner saw an unexpected bump up in usage due to DeMarco Murray's second-half foot sprain, and Felix Jones' cramps. Though he lacks big-play run skills, Tanner runs hard and pushes the pile. He is Dallas' third-string back.
Sun, Oct 14, 2012 05:18:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Phillip Tanner has won the No. 3 running back job.

Tanner proved he is fully recovered from his broken hand, rushing nine times for 48 yards with a touchdown in the preseason finale. He beats out Lance Dunbar, who is likely headed for the practice squad.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 04:30:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner has suffered a broken hand that requires surgery, and will be sidelined a minimum of 1-2 weeks.

Per the San Antonio Express-News' Tom Orsborn, the "hope is" Tanner will be back before camp ends. Competing with UDFAs Lance Dunbar and Ed Wesley, Tanner was expected to keep his third-string job, but the injury certainly clouds his status. If Tanner misses the preseason and either Dunbar or Wesley is impressive, Tanner could be out of a job.
Source: Josh Ellis on Twitter
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 03:30:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner is expected to hold onto Dallas' third-string job.

He's competing with UDFAs Lance Dunbar and Ed Wesley, but Executive VP Stephen Jones believes Tanner will be "hard" to beat out. "Good luck to the guy trying to unseat him," Jones said. "He’d better bring his lunch pail because it’s going to be a hard task." Running behind injury-prone DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones, Tanner is a name to keep in mind in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 01:04:00 PM
Phillip Tanner - RB - Cowboys

Cowboys RB Phillip Tanner is fully recovered from last year's hamstring injury.

The injury ended Tanner's season in early December, but he was "quick and decisive" making cuts at Wednesday's OTA practice. Tanner will battle rookies Darrell Scott and Lance Dunbar for Dallas' third-string tailback job in camp.
Source: ESPN Dallas
Wed, May 23, 2012 06:39:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Tony Romo
2Kyle Orton
3Nick Stephens
4Dalton Williams
RB1DeMarco Murray
2Joseph Randle
3Lance Dunbar
4Phillip Tanner
5Kendial Lawrence
GLB1DeMarco Murray
2Joseph Randle
3RB1DeMarco Murray
2Joseph Randle
FB1Lawrence Vickers
WR11Dez Bryant
2Terrance Williams
3Cole Beasley
4Anthony Armstrong
5Carlton Mitchell
WR21Miles Austin
2Dwayne Harris
3Danny Coale
4Tim Benford
5Jared Green
WR31Dwayne Harris
TE1Jason Witten
2Gavin Escobar
3James Hanna
4Andre Smith
5Colin Cochart
K1Dan Bailey