Safety Kenny Phillips is going to be limited through the start of training camp, this weekend. According to the coach Tom Coughlin, the Phillips and the trainers are taking precautions by taking things slowly and keeping a close eye on swelling after workouts, etc.
Tom Coughlin told The Post:
"“He’ll be with the trainers until the trainers are willing to let him begin to practice. I’m sure when that happens it will be one a day. They’re going to work with him on the side and determine exactly where he is. Part of this is watching after a workout how the player comes back, how long it takes for his recovery, is there any swelling, those are the things they got to determine. They’ve worked with him all spring and they’ve monitored him all summer. Because of the nature and the seriousness of the injury they certainly are not going to rush back out there until they’re 100 percent sure he can go through a two-hour practice. That’s all fine and dandy.”"
When asked if Coughlin thought Phillips would participate fully at camp at any time:
"“Oh, definitely, I expect to get him as much as a week or two.”"
While you’d like Phillips to be out there on day 1 working with the team, we’re talking about a potential career threatening arthritic condition that requires ongoing physical therapy and treatment. If he gets out there for as much as a week during training camp, I’ll be thrilled with it. Coughlin, understandably, has tempered his reactions all off season when it’s come to questions about Phillip’s recovery and rehabilitation from surgery. I can’t help but think Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant will help ease the pressure there. And even though Phillips’ desire to get back right away will be there, and as badly as he as a competitor wants to get back to full speed this weekend – I have no doubt he’s cooperating fully with doctors and the training staff and taking proper time to acclimate himself to full speed workouts during camp.