At 24 years of age and with only 23 games under his belt, Xavier McKinney’s resumé doesn’t scream out leader.
But on the Giants’ defense, and with their secondary, that’s his role. And he’s embracing it.
“I’ve always been that way. I was that way at [Alabama] and this is just who I am,” the third-year safety said Friday. “That’s why I say, it’s not like heavy on my shoulders or too much on my plate. It’s not a big deal to me because I’m used to doing it.”
Xavier McKinney has emerged as the leader on the Giants’ defense. Robert Sabo for the NY POSTMcKinney does more than just talk the talk. He walks the walk, too. Even before spring workouts began, he was studying the Titans to get an early look at the Giants’ Week 1 opponent. He frequently communicates with the rest of the defense, talking to the linebackers and defensive linemen, along with his fellow defensive backs. This year, he has the green dot on his helmet, meaning the safety will be the one communicating with the coaching staff when the defense is on the field and relaying play calls to his teammates.
“It’s obviously an honor to be in this position that I’m in and I expect to seize the opportunity and take full advantage of it,” McKinney said.
Head coach Brian Daboll declined to reveal his plan for the preseason game Sunday against the Jets and whether the Giants’ starters would get in the game. A number of Giants, though, have been ruled out due to injury: Receivers C.J. Board and Sterling Shepard; edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari and Elerson Smith; defensive backs Rodarius Williams and Dane Belton; offensive linemen Ben Bredeson, Shane Lemieux, Josh Ezeudu and Garrett McGhin; and kicker Graham Gano. The status of receivers Kadarius Toney and Darius Slayton, along with edge rusher Jihad Ward, has yet to be determined.
Ojulari, who suffered a calf injury while running sprints on Thursday, is day-to-day, Daboll said. He declined to say whether his status for the season opener against the Titans is in jeopardy. … Daboll said Lemeiux probably won’t be ready for Week 1 of the regular season and isn’t close to returning. … The Giants signed receiver Travis Toivonen and kicker Ryan Santoso and released defensive back Andrew Adams on Friday. The two additions were made due to injuries at their positions.
