Phillips expects to play despite knee injury

There is no connection, Giants coach Tom Coughlin and safety Kenny Phillips insisted, between the left knee injury that ended Phillips' season last year and the sprained left MCL that caused Phillips to miss a second practice this week on Friday. Two entirely separate and purportedly unequal issues that just happened to occur in the same knee, they said.

For anyone who heard Phillips describe last season's knee injury as something he could "manage,'' the similarity is uncomfortably eerie. Phillips had microfracture surgery after playing two games last season but was able to return for training camp this year.

His presence at free safety means a lot to a Giants defense facing 3-1 Houston, NFL leading rusher Arian Foster and prolific passer Matt Schaub on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, but Phillips was listed as "questionable'' when the injury report came out Friday afternoon. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw and cornerback Terrell Thomas also were questionable, but both practiced.

"I think it's more of a precaution, nothing serious,'' Phillips said of the decision to sit out. "I hope to play, looking forward to playing, and I've been watching film and doing everything preparing to play.''

Phillips suffered the sprain Sunday night against the Bears, but the trainers have told him it's unrelated to the injury that required surgery. "No setbacks, no swelling,'' Phillips reported. "The knee is great.''

Asked if there is any danger of his recent injury impacting the previous injury to his left knee, Phillips said, "Not as far as I know from talking to the trainers. I'm pretty good."

The fact he was able to continue playing against the Bears after suffering the injury gives Phillips confidence that he has nothing to worry about against the Texans. As a precaution, rookie cornerback Brian Jackson shifted to safety to replace Phillips in defenses that require three safeties, including Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant.

Nerves could be a factor for a rookie playing a new position. "Once the first play is over, I'll be good,'' Jackson said. "Just try to make a play. I guess they feel they have a playmaker in me, so I'm excited.''

Bradshaw practiced for the first time all week after suffering a left ankle sprain against Chicago, but he's used to handling ankle injuries. "During the game, it goes numb for a couple of minutes, and then I'm back out there,'' Bradshaw said. "As many as I've had, it really doesn't faze me anymore.''

Notes & quotes: DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) and C Adam Koets (knee) practiced and are probable, but C Shaun O'Hara (ankle/Achilles), LB Keith Bulluck (toe), FB Madison Hedgecock (hamstring), DE Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) and OT Will Beatty (foot) are out.