Buffalo Bills Sign Phillip Tanner In Wake Of Fred Jackson Injury

Nov 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Phillip Tanner (34) against the New Orleans Saints prior to a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Phillip Tanner (34) against the New Orleans Saints prior to a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills have signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Phillip Tanner in wake of injuries to Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

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Things started out so promising this past Sunday for the Buffalo Bills. That was before they suffered two devastating losses in the backfield as running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller were both carted off the field with injury.

The news wasn’t good as Spiller was deemed out for the season while Jackson will miss the next month with a groin issue.

In effort to combat the blow to the running game, the Buffalo Bills have signed veteran running back Phillip Tanner.

If the name sounds familiar that’s because Tanner previously spent three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys where he served as a change-of-pace runner in addition to playing on special teams. However the Cowboys let the three-year veteran go after camp and he’s been unemployed since that time.

That’s no longer the case however as he’ll now join the depleted Buffalo backfield.

Phillip Tanner, who previously worked out with the Seattle Seahawks isn’t going to get much time as it’s expected Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown will handle the running back duties until Fred Jackson returns. Of course if there just so happened to be another injury, Tanner could get some significant work but right now he’s essentially nothing more than insurance moving forward.

Tanner has struggled to handle the rock as he has two fumbles in just 66 career touches though does have a rushing and receiving touchdown to his credit. Still, expecting much out of him would be nothing more than wishful thinking as the Bills will rely on Brown and Dixon to get them over the hump.

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