Safety Kenny Phillips’s season with the New York Giants ended just days after the best game of his career.
Phillips, who had two interceptions in last Sunday night’s win over Dallas, was placed on injured reserve yesterday because of a bad left knee. The team also announced it was awarded safety Aaron Rouse off waivers from Green Bay.
“I really feel for Kenny because he had worked so hard during the offseason to prepare himself for the ’09 season,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said. “He had a great camp and was just beginning to come into his own and showed flashes of being one of the premier safeties in the NFL. We expect him to recover from this setback and come back stronger than ever.’’
Phillips had been bothered by the knee since training camp. An MRI Wednesday revealed that the patellar femoral arthritis in his knee had worsened. A final determination has not yet been made on how to treat the condition.
Phillips was stunned that he would have to miss the rest of the season.
“It never crossed my mind, ever,’’ Phillips said. “I knew the situation. I just felt I could push it through the season. So to get this news is a real shock.’’
Phillips was leading the team in interceptions (2) and tackles (16) and was tied for the lead in passes defended (2).
Sanchez OK
Jets rookie quarterback
Mark Sanchez has some tendinitis in his right knee that isn’t expected to affect his availability for Sunday’s game against Tennessee.
Coach Rex Ryan said Sanchez “had a little tendinitis,’’ but fully participated in practice yesterday. Sanchez appeared to reach down at his knee a few times and flex it during the 40-minute period the media is allowed to watch.
“It’s not that big a deal,’’ Ryan said. “He has something. I don’t know how to describe it than just to say it’s a little tendinitis. But he’s fine. He fully participated and moved around great, I thought.’’
Peterson optimistic
Vikings running back
Adrian Peterson said his back injury is “not a big deal at all,’’ meaning he should play against San Francisco on Sunday.
Peterson has been limited in practice the last two days because of the injury. He rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown last Sunday against Detroit, and leads the NFL in rushing heading into the Vikings’ home opener against the 49ers.
“God willing, I will be out there playing,’’ Peterson said. “Not a big deal at all.’’
Steelers’ Carter fined
Steelers safety
Tyrone Carter has been fined $5,000 for a hit that left him with a bruised left thigh. The NFL penalized Carter for his hit on Bears tight end
Greg Olsen last Sunday. Carter played hurt the rest of the game and said he may have given up a tying touchdown pass because of it. The Bears won, 17-14. “They said I led with the crown of my helmet,’’ Carter said. “I watched the play over and over again and I hit him in the shoulder. So I don’t know. Ask the league. Of course, I’m going to appeal.’’ . . . Eagles quarterback
Donovan McNabb is still not able to practice and it appears unlikely he will play Sunday against the Chiefs. McNabb suffered a broken rib in Week 1. With the Eagles off next week, resting McNabb gives him more time to heal before Philadelphia hosts Tampa Bay Oct. 11. Third-year QB
Kevin Kolb started last week in a loss to the Saints and is expected to start again Sunday . . . Chiefs linebacker
Derrick Johnson, who has made at least one big play in each of Kansas City’s games this year, says a pulled groin muscle will keep him out of Sunday’s game.
High marks
A new study found that the NFL has improved its hiring practices to increase diversity. The league received an overall B grade in the report released by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. It earned an A-minus for racial hiring practices and a C on gender hiring practices. Those are the highest grades the NFL has received from the institute. “We are making progress, but we are certainly not content,’’ said league spokesman
Greg Aiello . . . Four new minority owners have joined the Steelers’ revamped ownership group that is headed by team chairman emeritus
Dan Rooney and his son, team president
Art Rooney II. They are
David Tepper, the
Paul Sams family,
Ben Statler, and
Mike Wilkins. Six other minority owners were previously announced, including Hall of Fame receiver
John Stallworth . . . Sunday’s Lions-Redskins game in Detroit and the Raiders-Broncos game in Oakland will be blacked out because the home teams failed to sell enough tickets.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
