Safety Kenny Phillips to Miss the Rest of the Season: Safety Kenny Phillips will miss the rest of the 2009 NFL season due to problems with his left knee. The Giants placed him on Injured Reserve yesterday.
Phillips has been bothered by the injury since training camp and has missed quite a few practices in recent weeks. According to the Giants, an MRI showed that the condition – patella femoral arthritis – in Phillips’ left knee has worsened. The Star-Ledger says the injury is a condition where the cartilage has worn down behind the kneecap, where it sits against the femur.
According to various press reports, the injury is not likely to go away and may be career-threatening. However, Giant sources told The New York Post and Newsday that the team does not consider the injury career-threatening. Neither does Phillips’ agent after consulting with doctors. The Giants said that a final determination has not yet been made on how to treat Phillips’ condition. If surgery is required, media reports say it could be microfracture surgery.
“I really feel for Kenny because he had worked so hard during the offseason to prepare himself for the ’09 season,” said General Manager Jerry Reese. “He had a great camp and was just beginning to come into his own and showed flashes of being one of the premier safeties in the NFL. We expect him to recover from this setback and come back stronger than ever. This league is about making adjustments and we will do that.”
“I knew the situation,” said Phillips. “I just felt I could push it through the season. So to get this news is a real shock…I worked hard this offseason and I felt like this was going to be a big year not only for me, but for the Giants. I started the season off pretty well with a few tackles, interceptions and for it to just get snatched away from me like this is real tough.”
“The most important thing for us right now is to realize it’s an emotional time for Kenny Phillips,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He had an excellent training camp. He played the deep ball, really, unlike anybody we’ve had around here. He has two interceptions with two outstanding plays the other night, he leads the team in tackles. His presence is felt in really every category on special teams and defense. He was quietly very strong back in the secondary. We were very excited about what we thought could be a Pro Bowl year for our free safety.”
“Unfortunately, it’s a difficult time for all of us and for Kenny,” said Coughlin. “Our concerns are about Kenny from an emotional standpoint, because this morning he looked like he’d lost his best friend. He’s really down. But it’s something the doctors felt was needed to be corrected right now, so what’s in the best interest of the player is being done. I’m sure he’ll rehab and be back with us in the spring.”
“I hate to miss out on this season,” said Phillips. “We have such a great team I wish I could just be a part of it, helping them out. I know the team is going to support me. They are treating me like family, like I am their son, brothers or whatever. Jerry Reese came down and talked to me, Coach Coughlin, the training staff, everyone has been real supportive of me.”
“I am only in year two, so I feel this is the right decision,” said Phillips. “Longevity is the key, so this is why we are going through with it.”
Giants Claim Safety Aaron Rouse Off of Waivers from Packers: The Giants have claimed safety Aaron Rouse off of waivers from the Green Bay Packers.
Injury Update: Not practicing again yesterday were DE Justin Tuck (shoulder), DT Chris Canty (calf), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring), CB Kevin Dockery, WR Domenik Hixon (knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot), and HB Danny Ware (elbow).
“(Tuck) is a little bit better each day,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He didn’t practice, obviously, but a little bit better.”
“(Ross and Dockery) look like they are running pretty good back on that field,” said Coughlin. “But we have been down this road before so until that is cleared and I’m told exactly what, then I’ll just maintain the way it is.”
Coughlin said there was nothing new with Canty.
WR Mario Manningham (shoulder), LB Clint Sintim (groin), and OC Adam Koets (ankle) practiced again on a limited basis. Manningham says he will play against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
