Deon

Grant

Grant is an unrestricted free agent after this season and the Panthers have not started contract negotiations. Mike Minter is sure to be back, but the team may try to upgrade from Grant.

The Jaguars are uncertain how serious the injury is.

A hip injury suffered in the team’s preseason opener has proved minor.

Patrick Kerney is in Seattle currently. Graham visited Oakland Saturday. Deon Grant could visit the ‘Hawks on Sunday as well, and former Broncos guard Cooper Carlisle is believed to be on the club’s radar.

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.

Grant was an average performer in just over 1,000 snaps for the Giants a season ago. He’d likely see a much lesser workload if re-signed. Now 33, he’s looking to catch on as a third or fourth safety, but is reportedly in no rush to sign.

Grant was featured in the Giants’ nickel defense last season, and recently said he expects to sign sometime during training camp. If signed, he would be strictly used as an insurance policy.

A key cog in New York’s oft-used three-safety looks a year ago, Grant isn’t ready to retire after 12 seasons and it sounds like he’s willing to play for close to the veteran’s minimum. Grant played a whopping 79.9 percent of the Giants’ defensive snaps in 2011, primarily because they didn’t have a nickel corner.

Grant was told earlier in the summer that he remained under consideration for the Giants, but the New York Daily News reports he’s heard nothing since. That could change after the Giants’ secondary was exposed in the season opener.

Jimmy Smith and Marcus Stroud are active, as expected.