Clark Phillips III Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Falcons vs Saints game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 18, 2025
Placed on injured reserve
The Falcons placed Phillips (triceps/illness) on injured reserve Saturday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips has been unable to practice for the last two weeks and did not play against the Bills in Week 6 due to a triceps injury. He'll now be required to miss at least the next four games while on injured reserve, and the earliest he can be activated is ahead of the Falcons' Week 11 home clash against the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Oct 17, 2025
Missing more time
Phillips (triceps) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the 49ers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips didn't practice all week and is now in line to miss his fifth game this season due to ribs and triceps injuries. Once the third-year pro from Utah returns to full health, he'll likely operate as one of the Falcons' top reserve outside cornerbacks.
Oct 11, 2025
Won't play Monday
Phillips (triceps) has been ruled out for Atlanta's game Monday versus the Bills, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips popped up on the injury report Saturday and will now miss his fourth game of the season. The 23-year-old has appeared in just one contest this season, recording one solo tackle while playing exclusively on special teams.
Sep 5, 2025
Cleared to play
Phillips (ribs) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus Tampa Bay.
ANALYSIS
Phillips was limited in practice earlier in the week but has been cleared to play in the Week 1 opener. He appeared in 16 regular-season games last season, logging 35 tackles (27 solo), five pass breakups, including one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He's expected to be the top backup cornerback on the outside behind starters A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes.
Sep 4, 2025
Remains limited Thursday
Phillips (ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips has opened the week with back-to-back limited practice sessions while working through a rib injury. His activity level during Friday's practice will determine whether he has an injury tag heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay. Clark played in 16 regular-season games (two starts) in 2024 and finished with 35 tackles (27 solo), five pass defenses (one interception), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Sep 3, 2025
Doesn't practice Wednesday
Phillips (ribs) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips has been dealing with a rib injury since early August which has prevented him from practicing. He'll have two more chances to return to practice this week and avoid an injury tag heading into Sunday's regular-season opener against the Buccaneers. Natrone Brooks would be in line to see more rotational snaps at outside corner behind starters Mike Hughes and A.J. Terrell if Phillips is unable to play.
Aug 18, 2025
Not expected to play this week
Phillips (ribs) is not expected to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys on Friday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips has yet to play this preseason, so it appears as if he'll go the entire exhibition slate without logging a snap. A fourth-round pick in 2023, Phillips' roster spot should be secure after he appeared in 16 regular-season games for Atlanta last season.
Aug 12, 2025
Dealing with rib injury
Phillips (ribs) is expected to miss "some time," D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips missed last Friday's preseason opener against the Lions, and it sounds like he's also in danger of missing this Friday's exhibition against Tennessee. The 23-year-old cornerback appeared in 16 regular-season games for Atlanta last season, making a pair of starts, and finished with 35 tackles (27 solo), five pass breakups, including his first career interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He's an important piece of the Falcons' secondary depth.
Jan 8, 2025
Takes step up in 2024
Phillips finished the 2024 season with 35 total tackles (27 solo), five passes defensed, including an interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery over 16 games.
ANALYSIS
Phillips operated as a depth option behind A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes in 2024, increasing his tackles total in year two in the NFL, while also snatching his first career interception. With Hughes heading into free agency this offseason, it's possible that Phillips could be thrust into a starting role in Atlanta's secondary in 2025.
Jul 29, 2024
Secondary role to start camp
Phillips is working with the second-team defense to start training camp, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips earned a starting role as a rookie last year, posting 26 tackles and four pass defenses over the final five weeks. However, he's operating behind Mike Hughes to start training camp. Hughes mostly worked out of the slot last year. Phillips' role may fluctuate, but Kendall also noted that Atlanta could be in the market for a free-agent cornerback, noting Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore, Adoree' Jackson and J.C. Jackson are all still available.
Jul 29, 2024
Secondary role to start camp
Phillips is working with the second-team defense to start training camp, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips earned a starting role as a rookie last year, posting 26 tackles and four pass defenses over the final five weeks. However, he's operating behind Mike Hughes to start training camp, who mostly worked out of the slot last year. Phillips' role may fluctuate, and Kendall also said that Atlanta could be in the market for a free-agent cornerback, noting Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore, Adoree' Jackson and J.C. Jackson are all still available.
Jan 17, 2024
Earns starting role
Phillips finished 2023 with 27 tackles (22 solo) and five pass defenses in 11 appearances.
ANALYSIS
A rookie fourth-round pick, Phillips played exclusively on special teams to start the campaign but carved out a starting role down the stretch, supplanting Jeff Okudah. Over the final five weeks, Phillips recorded 26 tackles and four pass defenses. A.J. Terrell is locked into the top cornerback spot, but Phillips figures to have a shot at the No. 2 gig in 2024, though the Falcons will presumably look to improve their defensive back depth during the offseason.
Aug 25, 2023
Logs three tackles in loss
Phillips (leg) recorded three solo tackles in Thursday's 24-0 exhibition loss to the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Phillips was carted off the field on Aug. 8 with a leg injury before returning to practice a week later. His presence in Thursday's preseason finale indicates his health is back up to par ahead of the regular-season. The 28-year-old is competing for a depth role in the Falcons' secondary this season.
Aug 13, 2023
Back at practice
Phillips (leg) was back at practice Sunday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
ANALYSIS
Phillips was carted off during Tuesday's joint practice with the Dolphins, but he appears to be on the cusp of a return. That being said, Sunday's practice was unpadded, so the cornerback's status for Friday's game with the Bengals is still uncertain.
Aug 8, 2023
Exits practice with injury
Phillips suffered a leg injury during a joint practice with the Dolphins Tuesday and had to be carted off, Alanis Thames of The Associated Press reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback tried to break up a pass, couldn't get up without trainer assistance and struggled to apply weight to his lower left leg, but the injury is not serious and he is listed as day to day, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Phillips was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft after winning the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award last year. The University of Utah product is projected as a backup corner for the Falcons as Week 1 gets closer.
Apr 29, 2023
Added to Atlanta secondary
The Falcons selected Phillips in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 113th overall.
ANALYSIS
Phillips played three seasons at Utah, serving a significant role in his final two years. He's known as a ballhawk and backed that up with nine interceptions during his collegiate career -- six of which came in his junior year. There will be questions about Phillips' athleticism and physicality, as he ran a 4.51 40-yard dash while standing only 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds.
Apr 29, 2023
Added to Atlanta secondary
The Falcons selected Phillips in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 113th overall.
ANALYSIS
Phillips played three seasons at Utah, serving a significant role in his final two years. He's known as a ballhawk and backed that up with nine interceptions during his collegiate career -- six of which came in his junior year. There will be questions about Phillips' athleticism and physicality, as he ran a 4.51 40-yard dash while standing only 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds.
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