:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47116374/usa-today-8303433.0.jpg)
Sophomore defensive lineman Harrison Phillips announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he has torn his ACL, ending his 2015 season after just one game.
Phillips left the Northwestern game in the first half, but now must set his sights on returning in 2016. He's planning on medically redshirting and trying to play out his remaining 3 years of eligibility.
Phillips posted this message on his account:
I have a team full of my brothers watching my back so I can keep my eyes forward. ⛪#GodHasAPlan pic.twitter.com/Zh4mw88AzG
— Harrison Phillips (@horribleharry66) September 8, 2015
Phillips was supposed to redshirt as a true freshman last season, but injuries to the defensive line forced him into the rotation later in the year. He added around 20 pounds this offseason in order to better withstand the pounding in the trenches.
Depth along the defensive line is now an issue for the Cardinal once again, as Stanford had only two healthy backups (Jordan Watkins and Nate Lohn) on the roster before Phillips' injury. Time will tell if that rotation is enough depth for the Cardinal, or if players will need to be moved around to account for Phillips' absence. The coaching staff could also elect to burn to play true freshman Wesley Annan instead of redshirt him.