Even if Stevie Brown loses his starting job this week with Kenny Phillips’ possible return, Tom Coughlin said the Giants plan to continue using Brown.
The Giants’ safety situation is muddled because of injuries to both Phillips and Antrel Rolle, with the status of each still undetermined for Sunday against the Steelers. Phillips has missed the last four games with a knee injury, but practiced fully yesterday. Rolle did not practice because of concussion symptoms.
“[Rolle] still has to go through the routine, the process,” Coughlin said. “We’re hopeful, confident that he will pass, but we have that in front of us.”
Depending on the health of each player, Brown could end up starting again. Otherwise, he’ll return to being a reserve but will still see action. Brown earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors yesterday for his two-interception game against the Cowboys last Sunday. He has five interceptions this season.
“My position has always been the more outstanding football players, the better,” Coughlin said, adding “we’ll find ways to involve all of them.”
Brown said he’s fine with potentially going from Defensive Player of the Week to a reserve, saying, “It’s just my role. … Have to do what I can to help.”
➤ WR Victor Cruz, a restricted free agent after the season, said the structure of a new contract is in place. “As of right now, negotiations are being talked about and the only thing in place right now is the structure,” he said. “That’s all I can say right now at this point.”
Cruz, who was limited in practice with a calf injury, would not reveal whether that structure consists of the contract length or dollars, but said he’s “happy” with it. He said he was unsure of the timetable for a deal getting finished.
➤ Starting MLB Chase Blackburn (hamstring) didn’t practice, so backup Mark Herzlich is preparing to start.
“I do feel that [Herzlich is ready],” Coughlin said. “He’s obviously studied and been in the same room with Chase and knows a lot of those mannerisms and if Chase is able to go, fine.”
Herzlich was not sure if he’d make the defensive calls. Coughlin said Michael Boley has plenty of experience making the calls too.
➤ Florida resident Jason Pierre-Paul was hardly shaken by Hurricane Sandy, saying yesterday, “It’s normal to me. We got ’em all the time in Florida.” … LB Keith Rivers (calf) and TE Bear Pascoe (ankle) were new to the injury report and didn’t practice. C David Baas did not practice. He has been dealing with an ankle problem, but his elbow was also cited on the injury report.
mark.hale@nypost.com