Giants corner Dru Phillips said Thursday that he was not benched in last Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, even though he played his final snap with over 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter. “It’s a rotation,” Phillips, 23, told the Daily News at his locker. “I didn’t get benched.” Both interim head coach Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen confirmed the fourth quarter benching in favor of backup Nic Jones, but Phillips is a proud player. Bowen reaffirmed he still has confidence in the former third-round pick. And the Giants (2-9) might have to call upon Phillips again Sunday against the Lions (6-4) after Jones showed up on Thursday’s injury report as limited with a hamstring injury. “[I] felt like Nic earned the right to play a little bit, right?” Bowen said Thursday. “He’s out here working. He’s done a really good job. We got him in there, felt confident in his ability to go in there and play. And I would say he earned the right to play.” Phillips seemed to be playing a shallow zone on his final play with 12: 25 remaining in the third quarter when Dane Belton was flagged for a 35-yard pass interference near the goal line on Matthew Golden to set up a Packers touchdown. He also comes across as a hard-nosed, competitive, loyal and accountable player and person. But he has had a difficult season, and his late demotion was an interesting wrinkle during Kafka’s first game as head coach, considering there are plenty of other candidates on this roster as worthy of the fate Phillips received Sunday. Phillips is tied for the fourth-most penalties (eight) against in the NFL, and his 122 penalty yards against rank second in the league behind only Denver’s Riley Moss (nine for 178). He has also been victimized during some of the Giants defense’s collapses, especially during the infamous loss at Denver, when his finish on a play or two was far less than acceptable. Kafka supported the change after the game. When Jones entered, he immediately put tight coverage on Christian Watson for a 3rd down pass breakup late in the third quarter. “Yeah, the defense, they wanted to make a substitution there to put him at nickel,” Kafka said. “It was a good idea, and I think he did a nice job and made a nice little play there on third and two.” Phillips said he knows he has to play better. “I’ve got to be better in critical situations and reduce penalties,” he said. So what can he do to stay ready for Detroit, knowing he expects it to be a “rotation,” to earn his previous full-time role? “I’ve just got to show up, work and compete,” he said. Oddly enough, Bowen stressed full confidence in Jones but didn’t start him against the Packers. Why? “Because I have confidence in Dru,” he said. “I have confidence in Dru to go out there and do all those things as our starting nickel just trying to get him some time.” Phillips said he knew about the rotation before the Green Bay game started, though. It all makes for a lot of consternation and curiosity at what the next change will be when the Giants take the field on Sunday and how players will continue to respond to the whiplash of being handled differently by an interim coach. FITZGERALD STILL AT PRACTICE Former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald was watching Giants practice for a second straight day on Thursday and observing and taking notes. Kafka did not indicate Fitzgerald has any role other than visiting as a helpful mentor, but it’s worth monitoring Fitzgerald’s continued presence if coordinator Shane Bowen’s defense continues to struggle Sunday in Detroit. Kafka is 0-1 with six games remaining as interim Giants head coach. DART REMAINS LIMITED Quarterback Jaxson Dart (concussion/ non-contact) remained limited at practice for a second straight day. If he does clear the protocol for Sunday’s game, it is likely to happen sometime on Friday. It’s interesting that he wasn’t cleared on Thursday, considering he returned to the field last week and already was going through grueling workouts prior to the Packers game. Dart was in the locker room for a while at his locker, but NFL media rules prohibit reporters from interviewing players while they are in the concussion protocol. So it’s possible that Dart won’t speak on Brian Daboll’s firing, his concussion in Chicago and everything else until after the Giants’ game in Detroit. ADEBO NOT LOOKING GOOD Starting Giants corner Paulson Adebo (knee) did some running on a back field early in practice. But he isn’t close to 100%, and he was listed as a non-participant for a second straight day. So he is expected to miss a fifth straight game on Sunday. Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) and seldom-used tight end Thomas Fidone II (foot) also remained sidelined. Thibodeaux will miss his second straight game, and Fidone looks like he will be out on Sunday, too. Corner Cor’Dale Flott had a baby, so he missed a second straight practice, but he’s healthy. Veteran receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) was upgraded to limited and has a chance to play against the Lions. Dart, Jones, Corner Deonte Banks (hip), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (illness), corner Rico Payton (illness), defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (neck), safety Tyler Nubin (neck) and defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (toe/elbow) were limited, too. Running back Eric Gray (knee) was a full participant after the Giants opened his window to active him from injured reserve.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/20/giants-corner-dru-phillips-i-didnt-get-benched-must-be-better-in-critical-situations/