LANDOVER, Md. – It is rare when a team arrives at a stadium on the road and is presented with unexpectedly positive injury news. That’s what the Giants got Monday night when safety Kenny Phillips, listed as doubtful to play against the Redskins, was cleared to play and will indeed do so.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, listed as questionable after missing practice this past week with back spasms, was also set to play.

Phillips was able to practice on a limited basis all week after aggravating a right knee injury in last week’s victory over the Packers. Phillips missed the previous six games with a knee injury and after working on the field on Saturday the Giants coaching staff clearly was not happy with the way he moved. That’s why Phillips was listed as doubtful, which is almost always the kiss of death for a Giants player hoping to play that week.

It was a good sign for Phillips when he boarded the team’s Amtrak chartered train on Sunday, as the Giants don’t take players who aren’t going to play on road trips. That was one hurdle cleared by Phillips. The next was showing the coaching staff that he could function on the field and be an asset, not a liability. Phillips did that as well and thus he was activated for the game.

Pierre-Paul has had to deal with back issues in the past and it usually keeps him out of practice but not games, which was the case this week.