ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --With Jeff Heuerman and Virgil Green returning from injuries that sidelined them during OTAs, the Broncos added another tight end Thursday morning, signing eight-year veteran John Phillips.

To make room for Phillips on the 90-man roster, the Broncos waived TE Manasseh Garner with the non-football illness designation.

Primarily a blocker, Phillips spent the last three seasons with the Chargers after playing four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, who picked him in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Phillips had 10 receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown last year. He has 45 catches for 318 yards and four touchdowns in his career.

Phillips has overcome numerous injuries, including torn anterior cruciate ligaments suffered in 2010 and 2013. He also tore his medial collateral ligament in his right knee in 2013, but returned to play all 16 games for San Diego in the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Despite the injuries, Phillips has played in all 16 regular-season games during five of his seven seasons.