A week after being cut by the Colts, running back Phillip Tanner will be returning to the team with whom he spent the first three seasons of his NFL career. According to agent Christina Phillips of Precision Sports (via Twitter), Tanner has reached an agreement to re-sign with the Cowboys.
Tanner, 26, recorded 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries during his three years in Dallas, along with 93 receiving yards on nine catches. The Middle Tennessee State product, who also contributed on special teams in 2013, signed with the Colts in late July, but was waived following the club’s acquisition of running back David Fluellen.
In Dallas, Tanner will compete for a roster spot in a backfield that also includes DeMarco Murray, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle, Ryan Williams, and D.J. Adams. His familiarity with the team and its coaches could provide an advantage, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tanner waived this weekend when rosters are trimmed to 53 players.
Before the move is finalized, the Cowboys must remove a player from their active roster to make room for Tanner.