John Phillips (born June 11, 1987) is an American former professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals.

He was an All-state selection at tight end and was named the Roanoke Times Defensive Player of the Year.

He started all 12 games and totaled 48 receptions, which at the time ranked second-best by a tight end in school history.

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 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.

In 2012, Bennett left in free agency and Phillips had a solid season as the backup tight end behind Witten.

[4] 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.

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,[5] only to be re-signed 5 days later, [6] after Ladarius Green suffered his second concussion of the year and Antonio Gates was still serving an NFL suspension.

[9] He appeared in 8 games (4 starts), making 5 receptions for 32 yards, while contributing as a blocking tight end and on special teams.