MKRob Sports

The 2009 season officially came to an end today for promising young Giants safety Kenny Phillips.

Phillips, the Giants’ first-round pick (31st overall) in 2008 out of Miami, had surgery today to relieve patellofemoral arthritis in his left knee.

Phillips suffered the injury during preseason, but decided, after consulting with doctors and the Giants front office, to try to play through it as much as possible to avoid season-ending surgery. The team had been aware of Phillips’ condition since he began experiencing swelling in his knee during training camp. The initial plan was to manage it, and Coughlin said there was no original indication that Phillips’ season could end on IR.

But the team determined this week that Phillips’ condition had worsened to the point where he needed to be shut down for the season to address it. Since patellofemoral arthritis can be a lingering and painful condition, the move sparked external speculation that Phillips’ career could be in jeopardy. But Phillips and Giants coach Tom Coughlin said that isn’t the case.

Phillips lasted just two games, though they were two memorable games. Phillips led the team in tackles as the Giants beat two division rivals, the Redskins and Cowboys, to start the season. Against Dallas, Phillips intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown that was called back by an inadvertent whistle.

Phillips, who took over as a starter in the defensive backfield this season for James Butler, who left via free agency, hopes to be 100 percent healthy heading into training camp in 2010. He has been replaced in the starting lineup by C.C. Brown and the Giants claimed Aaron Rouse from Green Bay to fill the roster spot.