The Captain (of the Giants' defense) is back.
Big Blue activated safety Xavier McKinney, their defensive captain and quarterback, from the non-football injury list Saturday afternoon ahead of their win-and-in Week 17 game against Indianapolis.
McKinney has missed the last seven games due to a hand injury suffered in an ATV accident during the team’s bye week, and he only returned to practice officially Thursday, leaving head coach Brian Daboll doubtful that McKinney would be ready for Sunday's game.
However, the medical staff cleared him enough to take reps with the first team on Friday, and he will be back in the defensive backfield Sunday in a game where a Giants win means a playoff berth.
McKinney had 38 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and four passes defended before his injury, and the Giants were 2-4-1 in the seven games he missed.
The Giants also elevated tight end Chris Myarick and defensive back Zyon Gilbert from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, and to make room for McKinney on the 53-man, the team released wide receiver David Sills.
Myarick was waived from the 53-man roster last week when the Giants claimed offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, and re-signed to the practice squad. He has played in all 15 games this season, making seven catches for 65 yards and one touchdown.
Gilbert signed as a rookie free agent this summer and has been elevated twice before this season, playing Weeks 13 and 14 against Washington and Philadelphia, notching 12 tackles and one sack.
Sills has been with the team since 2019 and in nine games this season, he has 11 catches for 106 yards, but has lost traction with the emergence of Isaiah Hodgins and Marcus Johnson.
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
Listen live to WFAN via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
Follow WFAN on Social Media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
