Darius Phillips
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Darius Phillips
| image = Darius Phillips (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Phillips with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|6|26}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 190
| high_school = Robichaud {{nowrap|(Dearborn Heights, Michigan)}}
| college = Western Michigan
| draftyear = 2018
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 170
| pastteams =
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2018|2021}})
- Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- San Antonio Brahmas ({{UFL Year|2024}}–{{UFL Year|2025}})
- Memphis Showboats ({{UFL Year|2025}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× MAC Special Teams Player of the Year (2016, 2017)
- 2× First-team All-MAC (2016, 2017)
- Second-team All-MAC (2015)
| statleague = NFL
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 75
| statlabel2 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue2 = 3
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Pass deflections
| statvalue4 = 23
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 6
| statlabel6 = Return yards
| statvalue6 = 751
| pfr = PhilDa02
}}
Darius Phillips (born June 26, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at Western Michigan and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
College career
Phillips played four seasons at Western Michigan. Starting out as a wide receiver, Phillips caught 32 passes for 479 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman, while also rushing 3 times for 37 yards. He was converted to defensive back as a sophomore. In three years on defense, he recorded 127 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 12 interceptions, which returned for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns. But his primary role was as a kick returner. He led the Mid-American Conference in kickoff return yards in 2014 and 2016, finishing with 130 kickoff returns for a school record 3,193 yards, which ranked 5th all time in NCAA history. He returned five kickoffs for touchdowns, while also returning 32 punts for 327 yards and another score.{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/darius-phillips-1.html | title=Darius Phillips College Stats }}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9 7/8
| weight = 193
| dash = 4.40
| ten split = 1.57
| twenty split = 2.51
| shuttle = 4.18
| vertical = 32.5
| bench = 9
| arm span = 31 1/2
| hand span = 9 1/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darius-phillips/32005048-4914-0202-3000-11de21adea45 |title=Darius Phillips Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 5, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1006681&DraftYear=2018 |title=2018 NFL Draft Scout Darius Phillips College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=February 5, 2024}}
}}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
Phillips played college football at Western Michigan before being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round (170th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.{{cite web|last1=Paul|first1=Tony|title=Change at Syracuse led Darius Phillips to Western Michigan|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2017/09/13/wheatleys-firing-paved-darius-phillips-way-wmu/105580348/|website=TheDetroitNews|access-date=April 28, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Bengals select Western Michigan DB Darius Phillips in Round 5|url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/4/28/17296608/2018-nfl-draft-results-bengals-select-western-michigan-db-darius-phillips-in-round-5|website=CincyJungle.com|date=April 28, 2018|access-date=May 26, 2018}}
In Week 3 of the 2019 season, Phillips recorded his first career interception off Josh Allen in the 21–17 loss.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127915 |title=Bills stay unbeaten by rallying back to beat Bengals 21-17 |date=22 September 2019 |website=ESPN |access-date=22 September 2019}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 26, 2019 with a knee injury.{{cite web|title=Bengals Sign McTyer, Place Phillips On Reserve/Injured|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-mctyler-place-phillips-on-reserve-injured|website=Bengals.com|date=September 26, 2019}} He was designated for return from injured reserve on November 21, 2019, and began practicing with the team again.{{cite news |title=Darius Phillips Cleared To Practice |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/darius-phillips-cleared-to-practice |website=Bengals.com |date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123051553/https://www.bengals.com/news/darius-phillips-cleared-to-practice |url-status=dead }} He was activated on November 29, 2019 prior to Week 13.{{cite web|title=Bengals Activate Phillips To Roster, Place Redmond On Reserve/Injured|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-activate-phillips-to-roster-place-redmond-on-reserve-injured|website=Bengals.com|date=November 29, 2019|access-date=November 29, 2019|archive-date=November 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130181605/https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-activate-phillips-to-roster-place-redmond-on-reserve-injured|url-status=dead}} Phillips intercepted a pass thrown by Ryan Fitzpatrick in a Week 16 overtime loss against the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127910 |title=Dolphins survive late collapse and beat Bengals in OT, 38-35 |date=December 22, 2019|agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |access-date=December 22, 2019}} He recorded two interceptions during a win against the Cleveland Browns the following week.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127978 |title=Fond farewell: Andy Dalton leads Bengals over Browns 33-23 |date=December 29, 2019|agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |access-date=December 29, 2019}}
Phillips recorded his first interception of the 2020 season during a loss to the Browns in Week 7.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – October 25th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010250cin.htm |access-date=October 29, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve on November 14, 2020;{{cite web|title=Hubbard, Phillips, Ross Among Bengals Player Moves Ahead Of Week 10 At Pittsburgh|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/hubbard-phillips-ross-among-bengals-player-moves-ahead-of-week-10-at-pittsburgh|website=Bengals.com|date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 14, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203170751/https://www.bengals.com/news/hubbard-phillips-ross-among-bengals-player-moves-ahead-of-week-10-at-pittsburgh|url-status=dead}} and was activated on December 9, 2020.{{cite web|title=Darius Phillips Activated From Reserve/Injured; Jonah Williams Placed on Reserve/Injured|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/darius-phillips-activated-from-reserve-injured-jonah-williams-placed-on-reserve-|website=Bengals.com|date=December 9, 2020}}
On December 14, 2021, Phillips was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Darius Phillips To Reserve/Injured list; Drue Chrisman Signed To Practice Squad|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/darius-phillips-to-reserve-injured-list-drue-chrisman-signed-to-practice-squad|website=Bengals.com|date=December 14, 2021}}
=Las Vegas Raiders=
Phillips signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 17, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-cb-darius-phillips-nfl-free-agency-2022-offseason|work=Raiders.com|title=Raiders sign CB Darius Phillips|date=March 17, 2022|accessdate=March 20, 2022|author=Raiders Public Relations}} He was released on August 30, 2022.{{cite web|title=Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2022 season|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-finalize-initial-53-man-roster-2022-season-transactions-waive-release|website=Raiders.com|date=August 30, 2022}}
=Denver Broncos=
On September 1, 2022, Phillips was signed by the Denver Broncos.{{cite web|title=Broncos sign CB Darius Phillips|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-cb-darius-phillips|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 1, 2022}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 20.{{cite web|title=Broncos promote QB Jarrett Guarantano to active roster, place CB Darius Phillips on injured reserve|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-promote-qb-jarrett-guarantano-to-active-roster-place-cb-darius-phillips-|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=December 20, 2022}}
=Houston Texans=
On May 4, 2023, Phillips signed with the Houston Texans.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (5-4-2023)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-5-4-2023|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=May 4, 2023}} He was released on August 25, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-25 |title=Houston Texans Transactions (8-25-2023) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-8-25-2023 |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=HoustonTexans.com }}
=Detroit Lions=
On September 20, 2023, Phillips was signed to the practice squad of the Detroit Lions. He was released on October 10.{{Cite web |last=Reisman |first=Jeremy |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Detroit Lions sign veteran CB, TE to practice squad |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/10/10/23911779/detroit-lions-sign-veteran-cb-te-practice-squad-anthony-averett-anthony-firkser |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Pride of Detroit |publisher=SB Nation}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On December 26, 2023, Phillips was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.{{cite web | title=Titans Sign Five Players to the Team's Practice Squad | website=TennesseeTitans.com | date=2023-12-27 | url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-five-players-to-the-team-s-practice-squad | access-date=2025-01-01}} He was not signed to a reserve/future contract and thus became a free agent when his contract expired at the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-six-players-to-reserve-futures-contracts|website=TennesseeTitans.com|title=Titans Sign Six Players to Reserve/Futures Contracts |author=Wyatt, Jim|date=January 8, 2024}}
= San Antonio Brahmas =
On January 19, 2024, Phillips signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite news |title=The UFL Agree to Terms with 42 Players |url=https://uflboard.com/news/the-ufl-agree-to-terms-with-42-players/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024}} He re-signed with the team on August 29, 2024.{{cite tweet |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions |number=1829291951981748461 |date=August 29, 2024 |access-date=August 29, 2024}}
= Memphis Showboats =
On May 5, 2025, Phillips was traded to the Memphis Showboats in exchange for wide receiver Dee Anderson.{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=James |date=2025-05-06 |title=Brahmas, Showboats Exchange Dee Anderson & Darius Phillips |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/brahmas-showboats-exchange-dee-anderson-darius-phillips/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Pro Football Newsroom |language=en-US}} Phillips was released on May 12.{{cite news |last=Larsen |first=James |title=Memphis Showboats Sign TE Thomas Burke, Cut Darius Phillips |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/memphis-showboats-sign-te-thomas-burke-cut-darius-phillips/ |website=PFNewsroom.com |date=May 13, 2025 |access-date=May 13, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://www.bengals.com/team/players-roster/darius-phillips/ Cincinnati Bengals bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822081233/https://www.bengals.com/team/players-roster/darius-phillips/ |date=August 22, 2021 }}
- [https://wmubroncos.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4149 Western Michigan bio]
{{Bengals2018DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Darius}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:Las Vegas Raiders players
Category:Memphis Showboats (2022) players
Category:Players of American football from Detroit
Category:San Antonio Brahmas players
Category:Tennessee Titans players