Tyre Phillips is grateful to be back with the Giants.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY — Tyre Phillips was sitting in a hot tub at the Philadelphia Eagles’ complex in South Philadelphia ten days earlier when his agent called.
“He said, ‘Hey, bro, the Giants, they want to get you back,'” Phillips explained this week. “‘Heck yeah, let me know how it goes,’ I said. You call me, and you can tell how serious it is. ‘I’m up here getting my body ready for Eagles practice.'”
Actually, he was getting it right for the Giants. Five days after getting that call, Phillips started at right tackle and played all 68 offensive snaps in the Giants’ 14-7 victory against the Washington Commanders. Evan Neal is questionable with an ankle injury, so Phillips might find himself in the same position Sunday when the Giants host the Jets.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Phillips said. “I can’t compare that to nothing, nothing at all, that I’ve ever done in football. I take it as a blessing, just the true preparation of staying ready so you don’t have to get ready. Obviously, it was a blessing to be able to have (training) camp here. I kind of knew some of the plays as far as just the generic operation of the offense, but there were some new things I had to learn.
“It’s a blessing that the organization had enough confidence in me and knew that I was going to go out there and use my ability and do my job with high expectations and confidence with the guys next to me as well.”
Mark Glowinski, the right guard, was directly to his left.
“I love where he’s at,” Glowinski stated. “I love that he was able to collaborate with those guys on the line (in Philadelphia).” The Eagles have a tremendous offensive line, so I think he did a pretty good job taking some of those things and building on what he accomplished in camp and translating that. I believe he returned a better player because he had the opportunity to learn some things from working behind or side-by-side with those guys. It was nice for him to be able to just come, and he was relieved that it was only a short drive up the road. That makes it simple.”
Phillips had no desire to leave. He was signed as a free agent by the Giants just before the 2022 season, after spending his first two NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Phillips started five regular-season games last season, four at right tackle and one at left tackle. He was a candidate for the Giants’ backup tackle job when training camp began. However, a quad injury prompted him to miss multiple sessions, and Phillips was dismissed from the active roster and subsequently the practice squad, both of which he expected.
“In the NFL, they say your best ability is availability and during camp, I can’t lie, I was hurt,” Phillips was quoted as saying. “Because I wasn’t available, guys were outperforming me while I was rehabbing and recovering.” I was at a loss for words. It was only one of several factors. I just had to keep continuing with what I was doing.”
Phillips joined the Eagles’ practice squad on September 4 and spent six weeks learning from famous line coach Jeff Stoutland and a group of lineman that includes three players with a combined 11 Pro Bowl selections – Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Landon Dickerson.
“He’s a crazy coach,” stated Philips. “He’s unique, but he has good intentions.” He’s heading to the office with the intention of coaching everyone. It didn’t matter whether Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, or I were on the practice squad. He pushed everyone hard, and that was why he got up in the morning: to coach football.”
Phillips was aware that the Giants’ tackles had been injured, but he refused to consider a return to northern New Jersey.
“I always try to teach myself just to be where my feet are,” he went on to say. “If the opportunity came, whether it was with the Eagles or anyone else, if I was physically ready, I knew I could come in and I knew I was going to study the playbook and do what I needed to do for Sunday.” But I had no idea.”
He drove here to sign his contract as soon as the arrangement was finalized. He was on the Giants’ practice field the next day.
“The locker room welcomed me back with ease,” he told me. “Everyone was glad to see me because I was a character here.” I was relieved to see the boys’ cheerful expressions. Obviously, there is a relationship when you’re out in camp, bleed sweat and tears, have good days, sad days, and establish a link and a friendship that you can’t get anywhere else. When I returned, everyone was like, ‘Oh Tyre, what’s up, man? ‘I’m glad to see you, too.’ It felt as if I had never left.”
Phillips was overcome with emotion before the game last Sunday.
“You know how the head coach of the Eagles (Nick Sirianni), how he was for the Super Bowl (weeping during the national anthem)?” Phillips explained. “I believe I shed a tear or two.” It felt strange, simply knowing I was going to participate and knowing how much hard work I put in during those six weeks. It was an emotional moment, knowing that I was going to go out here and play with my brothers to the best of my skills inside and out.
“I’d been watching for six Sundays, sitting on my couch, because obviously, I didn’t travel with the Eagles P-squad.” And when I was there, we only had two home games. So simply being in that arena and hearing the entire environment felt fantastic. It was a fantastic feeling.”
He might taste it again on Sunday.
*Brian Daboll stated this morning that quarterback Daniel Jones will miss his third straight game due to a neck injury suffered Oct. 8 in Miami. Tyrod Taylor will start at quarterback for the Giants once more.
*Running back Gary Brightwell (hamstring) has been ruled out as well.
*Left tackle Andrew Thomas is questionable. Thomas would miss his seventh consecutive game if he does not play after injuring his hamstring against Dallas on Sept. 10.
Center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), tackle Evan Neal (ankle), cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (neck), tight end Darren Waller (hamstring), and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) are all questionable. Jones and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) were both limited in practice. Schmitz had been inactive for the previous three games, while Neal and Jackson did not play against the Commanders last week.
