Xavier

McKinney

McKinney was a candidate to receive the franchise tag, but the Giants chose to let him test the waters of free agency instead. Things worked out for McKinney as he is now set to be one of the league’s highest-paid safeties. McKinney started all 17 games last year and broke up 11 passes while also finding three interceptions. He even contributed .5 sacks and two TFLs. One of the best coverage safeties in the league, McKinney will take Darnell Savage’s place in the lineup. Savage is set to leave Green Bay for Jacksonville once contract signings become official.

The Giants drafted McKinney with the No. 36 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The four-year vet has started 46 of 49 career games he’s played while totaling 279 tackles, nine interceptions, and two forced fumbles. McKinney appeared in every regular season game for the Giants last season and earned an elite PFF coverage grade of 91.2 on more than 1,100 defensive snaps. McKinney will have a strong market during his impending free agency and should draw the interest of several contenders.

Xavier McKinney is active and will return after a seven game absence. The Giants will also have Azeez Ojulari available as they look to clinch a playoff spot with a win today. The Giants are getting healthy at the right time.

McKinney last played in Week 8 against the Seahawks, ending a two-month absence due to a hand injury sustained in an ATV accident over New York’s Week 9 bye week. He’ll be a valuable addition to a secondary missing Adoree’ Jackson as the team fights to secure a playoff berth in Week 17.

McKinnkey injured his hand in an ATV accident during the Giants’ bye week and won’t be ready for this Sunday night’s critical matchup with the Commanders. His absence will be a small boost for Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin.

McKinney tweeted on Monday that he injured his hand while on a guided sightseeing tour on ATVs in Cabo. The former second-round pick was reportedly involved in some kind of an accident during his tour and suffered a hand injury that he said would keep him out “a few” weeks, but we now know McKinney will miss at least the next four weeks. McKinney has started every game at free safety for the Giants this season, allowing eight catches for 104 yards and one touchdown per PFF. He will be eligible to return in Week 14 against the Eagles

McKinney is making his NFL debut after missing the first 11 weeks of the season with a fractured foot. Inactive for the Giants are K Ryan Santoso, LB T.J. Brunson, S Montre Hartage, OL Kyle Murphy, DL RJ McIntosh and OLB Trent Harris.

Gano is now off the reserve/COVID-19 list, while McKinney has been on injured reserve with a broken foot. Gano should immediately slot back into lead kicking duties against the Bengals, where the Giants are -6 favorites.

The fracture is to McKinney’s fifth metatarsal, frequently associated with a Jones fracture. This is not a season-ending injury, but McKinney will be sidelined for 2-3 months, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The first-year player was a second-round pick out of Alabama and was expected to play a starter’s role for the Giants defense as a hybrid safety/linebacker.

McKinney (6’0/201) was a two-year starter at Alabama who earned third-team AP All-American honors by making 95 tackles and forcing seven turnovers as a true junior. Nick Saban put him in the “Minkah Fitzpatrick role” where he split his snaps at box safety (285), free safety (271), and slot corner (227). Using his natural instincts, he stacked up impact plays from multiple alignments, including as an occasional rusher off the edge. Also a noted leader in the secondary, McKinney’s primary weakness is his 8th percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism and 4.63 speed. With better testing, McKinney would have been a consensus top-20 prospect, but he still offers Pro Bowl upside given his intangibles, versatility, and instincts. He should be an opening day starter opposite Jabrill Peppers in the G-Men’s secondary.