League news
Loading the latest league player and team updates.
Sports wire
The latest verified NFL player and team updates, newest first.
Phillips did not practice at all this week, after sitting out the Panthers’ last two games. Losing a key edge rusher will make things harder for the Panthers’ defense. Bo Nix should have decently comfortable pockets, though.
Carolina also ruled out left guard Damien Lewis, who is dealing with a knee issue. Phillips also missed last week’s game because of a hamstring injury. The hope is that the mini-bye after Thursday Night Football is enough to get him back for Week 9. Phillips has 2.5 sacks this year.
Phillips is a big loss, but it’s an otherwise quiet list for the Panthers vs. a more-injured and undermanned Bucs squad. Phillips is week to week after pulling his hammy in Week 6 against the Eagles.
Phillips came into this game questionable with a hamstring injury but was able to suit up. Unfortunately, he got hurt early in the first quarter and is unlikely to return. Considering he had the bye week to heal and is not 100 percent, it seems likely that the EDGE rusher will miss some time with the injury.
Phillips went down with a hamstring injury late in Sunday’s game against the Lions and didn’t return to the field. For a player with Phillips’ injury history, there were immediate concerns regarding the severity of the injury, but with a Week 5 bye on tap, the hope is Phillips won’t miss much time, if any. Phillips has totaled two sacks in his first four games of the season. In addition to Phillips, the team is also hopeful that OT Monroe Freeling (knee) will be able to return in Week 6.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal includes an eye-popping $80 million guaranteed. The Eagles were reportedly working to retain the 27-year-old (in May) pass rusher, but got outbid by the typically free-spending Panthers. A former Dolphin who flourished during his eight-game trade cameo for the Eagles last season, Phillips finally stayed healthy last year after an injury marred 2023-24 run. That’s a concern going forward, but Phillips is a pass-rushing difference maker when on the field.
It sounds like the Eagles are making a push to re-sign Phillips before the legal tampering period begins on Monday. Phillips, whom the Eagles acquired at last year’s trade deadline, totaled 28 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery in his eight games with the team last season, and is believed to have a strong market should he become available. While the soon-to-be 27-year-old dealt with two serious injuries in 2023 and 2024, he managed to play in all 17 regular season games in 2025 and is a clear difference maker for any defense he’s on.
Phillips came over in a midseason trade from Miami and had a great half-year in Philadelphia, posting a 77.1 PFF defensive grade in nine games. The Eagles stand to net a high compensatory pick if Phillips leaves, but it seems like they’d rather just keep the player.
The Eagles continue to bolster their defense via the trade market ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Phillips, who is on an expiring contract, becomes the third defensive player to be acquired by the Eagles in the last week and should provide an immediate boost to a pass rush that ranks 23rd in the league with 16 sacks. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Eagles are trading their own third-round pick to the Fins as opposed to the one they acquired from the Jets in the Haason Reddick deal, and Phillips will also count toward the Eagles’ compensatory formula should he leave next offseason via free agency. Phillips has totaled 15 tackles and three sacks for the Dolphins this season, and has often looked like a player on the verge of a breakout season before a devastating injury cuts things short. He’ll have a chance to breakout with the Eagles defense over the final nine weeks of the season in hopes of bolstering their defense while also building his case as a top free agent next offseason.
9 news items shown