The Giants are set to add Benardrick McKinney to the practice squad (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Rapoport hears that the linebacker had interest from multiple teams but chose the Giants because he saw them as the best fit.
McKinney was traded from the Texans to the Dolphins this year but didn’t make their final cut. When McKinney was at his best, he formed one of the league’s best run-stuffing tandems with Zach Cunningham. He earned Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and racked up 100+ tackles again in 2019. Last year, however, a shoulder injury limited him to just four games.
The 28-year-old (29 in November) was set to play for about $3M this year following a restructure. The Giants will have him on call for a fraction of the price, providing insurance for their current group of ‘backers.
The Giants may give McKinney the best path to the field, but they won’t give him a great opportunity to see the postseason. Sunday’s 38-11 showing against the Rams dropped them to 1-5 with the Panthers on the horizon.
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