Phillip Tanner

Last updated
Phillip Tanner
No. 34, 48, 39
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1988-08-08) August 8, 1988 (age 35)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school: Justin F. Kimball (Dallas, Texas)
College: Middle Tennessee State
Undrafted: 2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:41
Rushing yards:149
Rushing average:2.7
Rushing TDs:2
Receptions:9
Receiving yards:93
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Phillip Tanner (born August 8, 1988) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at Middle Tennessee State University.

Contents

Early years

Tanner attended Justin F. Kimball High School, where, as a junior he was named All-district after posting 1,395 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.

As a senior, he rushed for 1,705 yards and scored 29 touchdowns, on his way to being named All-district and District Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with 4,275 rushing yards and 76 touchdowns. He also lettered in track competing in the 100 metres.

College career

Tanner accepted a football scholarship from Middle Tennessee State University. As a true freshman, he played 13 games as a defensive back in nickel situations, tallying 16 tackles and one sack. He also practiced track, competing in the 4 × 100 metres relay team.

As a sophomore, he was switched to running back, playing in nine games (one start), while recording 64 carries for 299 yards and 4 touchdowns.

As a junior, he played in 12 games (4 starts), leading the team in rushing yards (714) and rushing touchdowns (15), while also becoming the first player in Sun Belt Conference history to receive both Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Week awards in the same week.

Tanner became a full-time starter as a senior, but was forced to redshirt after starting two games, because of a bone contusion he suffered in his knee during the second contest of the season. He started 2 games and rushed for 83 yards.

As a redshirt senior in 2010, he recorded 13 starts, 160 carries for 928 yards (led the team), a 5.8-yard average, 21 receptions for 194 yards and 13 touchdowns. He finished his collegiate career with 430 carries for 2,024 yards (4.7-yard avg.) and 33 touchdowns. He also lettered in track.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Tanner was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2011 NFL Draft. [1] On August 21, playing against the San Diego Chargers at Cowboys Stadium, he lost his helmet while scoring a touchdown in the second half of the game. A new rule canceled the touchdown, because it states that if any player loses his helmet while receiving, running, or intercepting a football, the play will end once the helmet has hit the field. [2] He would end up making the team over running back Alonzo Coleman. He recorded his first professional carry and touchdown on October 23, against the St. Louis Rams. On December 9, he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

In 2012, he was the third-string running back, registering 25 carries for 61 yards, one touchdown and 9 special teams tackles (sixth on the team). In 2013, he was the third-string running back, registering 9 carries for 12 yards, one touchdown and 9 special teams tackles (fifth on the team).

On February 23, 2014, after he was set to count $1.389 million against the salary cap, the Cowboys did not offer a restricted free agent tender, making him a free agent. [3] During his time with the team, he mainly played on special teams, while registering 56 carries for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns as a backup running back.

Indianapolis Colts

On July 29, 2014, Tanner was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent, after releasing running back Chris Rainey. [4] [5] He was cut on August 20.

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On August 27, 2014, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys to play in the last game of the preseason, because of injuries at the running back position. He was released on August 30. [6]

Buffalo Bills

On October 21, 2014, Tanner was signed by the Buffalo Bills after injuries to Fred Jackson and C. J. Spiller. [7] He was cut on November 20, to make room for tight end MarQueis Gray.

San Francisco 49ers

On December 17, 2014, he was signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers. [8] He wasn't re-signed at the end of the year, after playing in the final two games mainly on special teams.

Personal life

In 2019, Tanner entered the coaching ranks, serving as a special teams assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys, his original NFL team. [9] In March 2020, he joined former Cowboys teammate Jon Kitna's coaching staff at Burleson High School. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Kitna</span> American football player and coach (born 1972)

Jon Kelly Kitna is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Central Washington Wildcats and was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He is currently the head football coach at Lakota East High School in Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Jones (American football)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Julius Andre Maurice Jones is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Jones was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints.

David Lang was an American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Northern Arizona University.

Troy Hambrick is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at University of South Carolina and Savannah State University.

Micheal Curtis Spurlock is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Ole Miss.

Kevin Ray Williams, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning first-team All-American honors in 1991.

Robert Terrence Flagler is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers and Phoenix Cardinals. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors in 1986. He was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft with the 25th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Battle</span> American football player (born 1983)

Ewart Haron "Jackie" Battle III is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and Tennessee Titans. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. He played college football at the University of Houston.

Marcus Bernard Thomas is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas-El Paso.

Donovan Woods is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Oklahoma State.

Lonyae Durell Miller Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. He played college football at Fresno State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tavon Austin</span> American football player (born 1990)

Tavon Wesley Austin is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, receiving first-team All-American honors twice. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Clement</span> American football player (born 1994)

Corey Joel Clement is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He won Super Bowl LII with the team his rookie season, catching a touchdown in the game and helping execute the Philly Special.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Smith (running back)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Rod Smith is an American football running back who is a free agent. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college football at Ohio State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Weber (American football)</span> American football player (born 1997)

Mike Weber is an American football running back for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Ohio State. He has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL) and the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL).

Malik Turner is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Illinois, and was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. He also played for the Dallas Cowboys.

Alvin Wilbert Blount is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Washington Commandos and Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rico Dowdle</span> American football player (born 1998)

Rico Sharod Dowdle Jr. is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina.

Sewo Olonilua is an American football running back for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at TCU.

Nick Ralston is an American football fullback who is a free agent. He played college football at Louisiana and Arizona State. He signed with the Cowboys after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Cowboys Corner: Cowboys' rookie FAs include six Texans". Sportsblogs.star-telegram.com. 2011-07-27. Archived from the original on March 18, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  2. ↑ Yasinskas, Pat (August 18, 2010). "Lose a helmet, lose a play". ESPN . Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Cowboys won't tender Phillip Tanner" . Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  4. ↑ Archer, Todd (December 9, 2016). "Cowboys put Phillip Tanner on IR". ESPN Dallas. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Cowboys give Sensabaugh 5-year extension". FOX News . December 9, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  6. ↑ "For one night at least, Tanner a Cowboy again" . Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  7. ↑ Patra, Kevin. "Bills place C.J. Spiller on IR-recall, sign Phillip Tanner". NFL.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  8. ↑ Staff, 49ers. "49ers Sign RB Phillip Tanner, Place TE Garrett Celek on IR" . Retrieved June 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "Phillip Tanner". Dallascowboys.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Former Dallas Cowboys running back joins Jon Kitna's coaching staff" . Retrieved June 6, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.