Safety designated to return from IR
The New York Giants on Thursday designated safety Xavier McKinney to return from injured reserve, with McKinney practicing for the first time since injuring his left hand while in Cabo during the Giants’ Week 9 bye.
McKinney has now missed seven games since suffering the injury, which required surgery to repair the damage to his fingers.
Being designated to return from IR does not mean that McKinney is off IR and will play this season. It means the Giants now have 21 days to decide whether or not to activate him. Thus, they could delay a decision until into the playoffs — should they qualify. The designation simply means it is possible McKinney could play before the regular season ends.
Head coach Brian Daboll did not rule out the possibility of McKinney being activated for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, saying he is “not sure” that will happen.
“I think the first thing is just let him get out here and move around,” Daboll said. “He hasn’t played in a while. He has a contraption to protect his hand, so we’ll get him started. He has been moving around, rehabbing and his lower body is obviously good, so we’ll go ahead and let him practice and kind of see where he is at. We’ll probably start him (practicing) on the (scout) team right now.”
Xavier McKinney’s left hand is in a splint with all four of his fingers connected. Looks more like a mitten than a club pic.twitter.com/KDDbXeIAMD
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) December 29, 2022
Here’s a more extended catch between Xavier McKinney and a Giants staffer pic.twitter.com/Fo8nvQio6y
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) December 29, 2022
“I really want to play… I’m kind of running out of patience here,” McKinney says, knowing what’s on the line Sunday
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 29, 2022
Adoree’ Jackson, Azeez Ojulari updates
Jackson (knee) and Ojulari (ankle) were both limited in practice for a second straight day. It appears, though, that both are trending toward playing against the Colts.
“They’re making progress,” Daboll said after acknowledging they would be limited. “There’s a chance (for both to play), yeah.”
Jackson has not played since suffering a sprained MCL while returning a punt against the Detroit Lions in Week 11. Ojulari left Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with the ankle injury.
Adoree Jackson looks trending toward playing this week #Giants pic.twitter.com/JsEQpEJJCD
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) December 29, 2022
Thursday injury report
Giants
Limited participation
CB Adoree’ Jackson (Knee)
OLB Azeez Ojulari (Ankle)
DL Leonard Williams (Neck)
Full participation
DL Dexter Lawrence (Not Injury Related/Rest)
Colts
Did not participate
WR Ashton Dulin (Concussion)
TE Kylen Granson (Ankle)
CB Kenny Moore II (Ankle)
Full participation
S Rodney McLeod Jr. (Not Injury Related/Rest)