New York Giants star safety and team captain Xavier McKinney was designated to return from the non-football injury IR on Thursday. The team now has 21 days to activate him off the IR.
The Giants also announced that he would return to practice on Thursday, giving them hope that they can their star safety back on the field in time for their win-and-in game against the Indianapolis Colts.
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The Giants could be getting a key piece back this week:
This is the first time McKinney has been involved in an orchestrated practice for New York since breaking his hand and several fingers in an ATV accident during the Giants’ bye week in early November. The Giants have gone just 2-4-1 in his absence, so they will certainly welcome his services back instantaneously, whenever that will be.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that McKinney would wear a “contraption” on his surgically repaired left hand during Thursday’s practice. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, that apparent contraption was a splint plus a wrap that kept all his fingers except his thumb together.
McKinney was spotted in full uniform during Thursday’s practice throwing a few tosses with members of the scout team as well as Daboll, and also had a brief interaction with Giants GM Joe Schoen.
McKinney’s chances of playing in the regular season home finale this Sunday against the Colts are not likely, given that he has not had a lot of time to practice.
However, Daboll has yet to rule anything out and has also stated that “there’s a chance” McKinney and cornerback Adoree Jackson could both make their long-awaited returns on Sunday.
As for McKinney himself, he is hoping Daboll gives him the opportunity to play on Sunday but also acknowledges that he can not make the final decision for himself.
“I’m fine. I been saying it. It’s just up to the [team medical] staff, and our trainers, and the doctors, so. I feel fine, I feel confident in it”.
Xavier McKinney
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