Giants safety Phillips eager to play more

Kenny Phillips was on the field for six plays against the Steelers. On Saturday, his workload is sure to increase, and not just because of the progress he is making with his surgically repaired left knee.

The Giants are down to four working safeties - Matt O'Hanlon, who showed up midway through yesterday's practice, gives them a fifth body - and that means they won't have the luxury of resting Phillips against the Ravens.

"He's proven in the last couple of days of practice that in addition to coming back and feeling fine, that he can take some more reps," Tom Coughlin said. "So maybe that will allow us to give him a few more on the weekend."

How much is Phillips ready for?

"I'm hoping I can play the whole game if they let me," he said. "That's what I've been working for. I've had 11 months to train. I feel like I'd be prepared."

It's very unlikely that Phillips will jump from a half-dozen snaps to a full game. Even he said he expects the Giants might only double his reps to 12, although he has yet to ask them. Whatever the number, he said it won't be enough to satisfy him.

"I'm going to beg for a little more, no matter what they tell me," he said. "I want to go out there and play to say 'I'm back.' "

Walking wounded

First-round pick Jason Pierre-Paul did not practice at DE because of a groin injury that also limited him Monday. "It's nothing I can't handle," he said.

DT Chris Canty also had to sit out after injuring his groin early in the workout.

Giant steps

Ankle swelling limited C Shaun O'Hara . . . CB Aaron Ross saw a foot specialist in Charlotte, N.C., for a second opinion on his plantar fasciitis. Coughlin said it was in line with the first diagnosis, and Ross was put in "a boot or a cast" . . . Injured S Michael Greco was waived.