Safety Kenny Phillips Optimistic About His Return from Injury

The last time safety Kenny Phillips said he was going to play in a game was three weeks ago, as the Giants were getting ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As things turned out, Phillips was a game day scratch after reportedly determining during the team’s walk-through the day before, that he didn’t have the necessary burst to make it through the game.

This week?

“I’m playing,” he said. “I’ve practiced everyday this week. It felt pretty good; I didn’t have any setbacks, so I look forward to playing Sunday.”

Phillips said that the difference between this time and three weeks ago is that he wasn’t able to go full speed in practice as he was this week.

“I’m way more confident than I was when we played Pittsburgh just because I was going through those practices back then two weeks ago and I was still kind of sore, (but) this week, I’m not having that problem. I’m running around, I’m participating fully in practice, not taking any plays off. I feel pretty good. I like my chances.”

A return to the lineup by Phillips could mean the Giants deploy more three-safety looks against the Packers and their explosive offense. If they do, Phillips, who said he stayed in shape while he was injured, said hat he’d be ready to carry a full workload if that’s what the coaches need.

“I think I could play an entire game if the coaches allow me to,” he said. “I think I could play an entire game.”

Once he does get out there, Phillips believes that his old swagger will come right back to him.

“Just getting my mind right, getting the confidence back in my knee that I can make the plays that I need to make,” he said on what’s stopping him from being 100 percent confident in his chances. “They said I needed two more days of practice; I got those in, and I feel pretty good.”