Kenny

Phillips

It’s the same knee on which Phillips underwent microfracture surgery in 2009. Phillips ranks third on the Giants in tackles (67) and also has a forced fumble and two interceptions. Deon Grant figures to start in the meantime.

Phillips collided with LB Chase Blackburn, twisting his leg under Jermichael Finley’s body. It’s not clear yet if the injury is to the same knee that required microfracture surgery two years ago. Phillips will go for an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the sprain. According to Profootballtalk, he’s expected to miss “a few weeks.”

Phillips got his left twisted underneath Jermichael Finley’s body while making a tackle. He’s questionable to return, though we wouldn’t expect to see him in the second half. Rookie Tyler Sash has come on as his replacement.

Phillips did not make the Giants’ trip to Dallas, and is considered week-to-week. Graded out as the eighth-best safety in the league through the season’s first 13 weeks by Pro Football Focus, Phillips should be replaced by a combo of Deon Grant and Tyler Sash. Almost as effective in coverage as he is against the run, his absence is good news for both Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray.

“Witten said, when 21 (Phillips’ number) is in the post, we don’t even throw anything deep because we know he can go and get it,” Merritt recalled. "(Witten) said, ‘But if I see anybody else back there, Romo knows, we’re going deep.’” It’s probably no coincidence that Phillips played more free safety in 2011 than ever before. He finished with 82 tackles and a career-high four interceptions.

Phillips’ knee buckled as he tried to make a play on a juking LeSean McCoy. It looked gruesome, but Phillips did walk off the field under his own power. The “doubtful” designation bodes poorly, however. Nickel CB Will Hill has been shifted to strong safety.

RT David Diehl has missed the Giants’ past two games with a similar injury, and Phillips can be all but ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Browns. Nickel CB Will Hill kicked over to strong safety in Phillips’ absence on Sunday, but fresh off suspension, Tyler Sash could step in vs. Cleveland.

On Friday, it was reported that Phillips was going to return for the Week 9 game, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. He returned to full practice on Wednesday but was limited later in the week, so with the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Stevie Brown playing well, there’s no need to rush Phillips back.

Phillips did not participate in practice on Saturday and has been battling knee issues all season. He suffered a setback last week but was still expected to give it a go in Week 13. Stevie Brown and Antrel Rolle will continue to handle safety duties.

Keep in mind Phillips is in a contract year. His comments suggest he won’t be re-signing with the G-Men in 2013. “When we started our rehab we didn’t go about it the right way, and now here we are, we’re dealing with it right now,” Phillips said. “I don’t want to get into (specifics). It just didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.” Phillips has played in 5-of-11 games this year.