New York Giants Xavier McKinney activated, will play vs. Indianapolis Colts

In a move that seemed unlikely before the team practiced on Friday, the New York Giants have activated safety Xavier McKinney from the Non-Football Injury list. McKinney will play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

McKinney has missed the last seven games after needing surgery to repair several fingers on his left hand injured in a bye week accident while visiting Cabo.

It seemed unlikely early in the week that McKinney would be ready. He practiced for the first time on Thursday and Friday before practice head coach Brian Daboll said the team would “probably not” activate McKinney this week.

Watching him practice on Friday, though, apparently was enough to convince the Giants that McKinney was ready to play.

“I’ve missed a lot of weeks,” McKinney said Thursday after his first practice. “Obviously, I love the game, so I’m trying to get back out there. That’s what I do and that’s what I love to do, so I’m trying to get back out there.”

The Giants released wide receiver David Sills to make room on the 53-man roster for McKinney. Sills played in nine games this season, starting five, with 11 receptions. Since Week 8, though, Sills had only played one offensive snap.

The Giants also elevated tight end Chris Myarick and cornerback Zyon Gilbert from the practice squad. Myarick was waived and re-signed this week. Gilbert, an undrafted free agent rookie, was also elevated Week 13 against the Washington Commanders and Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles. This is his final elevation. Gilbert played 56 snaps against Washington.

The 8-6-1 Giants can clinch a playoff berth with a victory Sunday over the 4-10-1 Colts.

Colts place Ngakoue on IR

The Colts announced on Saturday that defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who leads the team with 9.5 sacks, is being placed on IR. The Colts signed defensive end Kameron Cline off their practice squad to replace him.