Kenny Phillips anticipates playing in Giants’ opener

If Kenny Phillips has his way, he’ll be playing in the season opener for the Giants.

Phillips continues to recover from microfracture surgery on his left knee, an injury that initially cast some doubt on whether he would ever play again. But Phillips is using that doubt to drive his rehab process, and told me Thursday he believes it’s realistic to play in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers.

“To me, everything is realistic,” Phillips said about being ready for the opener.”As far as being a starter, I don’t know if they’ll throw me out there the first game. I’m not sure. I do feel like I’ll get some type of playing time in that first game.

“I look at myself as the starter, and have the mindset they’re just working me back slowly. With Deon Grant, we know our roles. I feel that even if I’m not the starter [right away], he can get the job done. And he feels that when I’m ready to come back, he’ll let me shine. We’ll work something out.”

Phillips told fans during a live chat on NFL.com Thursday that he’s been getting “nothing but good reports” from his doctors and trainers and expects to see the field in some fashion when training camp opens on Aug. 1.

“I think you’ll see me as soon as camp opens,” Phillips said. “I don’t know if I’ll practice (fully) immediately, but for sure in the first couple of weeks. It will probably happen that I ease into it, start off slow, and then work my way in.”

Lots of good news on Phillips’ recovery. He also had a lot to say about new teammate Antrel Rolle, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and the fact he believes the Giants are a Super Bowl team this season. Check out the full transcript.

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(blogs.nfl.com)