Big night for Jason Phillips

Baltimore Ravens reserve inside linebacker Jason Phillips had an impressive game against the Washington Redskins as he battles for a roster spot.

In the third quarter Saturday night, he sacked Rex Grossman and forced him to fumble and recovered the football.

He recovered another Grossman fumble in the fourth quarter on linebacker Prescott Burgess’ second sack of the game.

“It was a lot of fun for me to get back out there and make some plays,” said Phillips, a fifth-round draft pick last season who was on injured reserve last year with a knee injury. “I’ve been waiting for that chance since last year to get out there and make something happen.

“Luckily, I was in the right position to do it and fortunately I made the play. It wasn’t really too much instinct. I just ran in there and he couldn’t get away from me.”

A four-time All-Mountain West Conference selection at Texas Christian, Phillips led the Ravens with six tackles against Carolina.

“It’s good to see,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “That’s what he did in college. It’s good to see those types of things showing up in game situations. He’s got a little bit of a knack for making plays, especially in the run game.”

A fifth-round draft pick last year, Phillips spent all of last season on injured reserve with a knee injury.

He’s facing an uphill climb for a job since the Ravens have a lot of depth at inside linebacker.

Of the young inside linebackers, Phillips has made the most impactful plays this preseason.

“I think I’m in the competition right now,” Phillips said. “There’s a lot of good ‘backers on this team. It’s still a tight race. It’s a long preseason and a long season, so it’s just going to come down to who can stay steady and who can stay consistent.”

If Phillips doesn’t make the Ravens’ roster, he’s also auditioning for the other NFL teams.

Ideally, he’d like to remain in Baltimore.

“You’re getting great film, but I love the organization,” Phillips said. “I don’t want to play anywhere else. I’m doing whatever I can to stay.”

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