Last September, Giants safety Kenny Phillips abruptly disappeared for the balance of the season due to a knee injury. Whispers emerged that he may never play again.
The offseason acquisition of Antrel Rolle, heralded by some to be an effort to pair the two former University of Miami standouts, was regarded by others as an insurance policy against Phillips’ ultimate inability to return.
Through it all, Phillips has remained confident. And while he’s not yet practicing, Phillips is running and cutting at Giants’ Organized Team Activities.
“Just being safe right now,” Phillips said, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com. “Not trying to push it, not trying to rush it. [I can] run, I can do other things, a little bit of cutting. Just taking it real slow right now.”
Coach Tom Coughlin seems to be pleased, but cautious. “All I know is what they tell me,” Coughlin said, according to Youngmisuk. “He is making progress. I just know that he is running. He is happy, he is getting better. There is no swelling. So those things are good.”
Phillips will remain out of action until training camp. For now, however, it all looks to be moving in the right direction.
“I’ve gotten good reports, I feel great, no pain, no swelling,” Phillips said. “Just basically being safe. We have no reason to rush it. Just taking our time.”
Time, in the end, will tell whether the 2008 first-rounder can return.