Benardrick McKinney Fantasy Stats

The New York Giants are elevating veteran linebacker Benardrick McKinney to their active game-day roster for Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams, according to a source. McKinney was just signed to the team's practice squad earlier this week, but he will already be making his team debut with linebacker Tae Crowder (thigh) being added to this week's injury report. The 28-year-old had been a free agent after getting cut by the Miami Dolphins during training camp, but he'll have a chance to help the Giants out, starting this weekend. Playing in just four games last year with the Houston Texans, McKinney had 37 tackles (19 solo) and one pass defensed. A Pro Bowler in 2018, don't expect McKinney to play all that many snaps in his team debut on Sunday.

The New York Giants are expected to sign former Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins linebacker Benardrick McKinney to their practice squad on Monday after he passes a physical, according to a source. The plan is to quickly promote McKinney to the active roster when he gets acclimated to the playbook. The 28-year-old was cut by the Dolphins in August and he played in just four games last season due to a shoulder injury that cut his season short. But the former second-rounder in 2015 has three seasons with 100-plus tackles and was a Pro Bowler with Houston in 2018, so he can provide the Giants defense with some valuable experience down the road this year.

The Dolphins have released linebacker Benardrick McKinney, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Miami acquired McKinney and a seventh-round pick from the Texans earlier this offseason, but the marriage is now over after less than six months. This preseason, the 28-year-old made two tackles and was listed as the starting linebacker on the Dolphins' unofficial depth chart. Now, though, he'll hit free agency ahead of the deadline before teams have to cut down to 53 players. With several clubs in need of help at linebacker, it likely won't be long before the former second-round pick latches on somewhere else.

Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (shoulder) has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2020 season after sustaining a shoulder injury that will require surgery. His loss is another blow to a defensive unit that has scuffled in producing takeaways this season. With McKinney having missed the teams Week 5 game against Jacksonville, Tyrell Adams stepped up and played 89 percent of defensive snaps, making 13 combined tackles and recovering a fumble. After that performance, Adams has likely earned himself another start in McKinneys place, although the Texans Defense holds little season-long appeal with matchups against the Titans and Packers on the horizon.

Houston Texans middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney (ankle) underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery, according to league sources. McKinney is expected to make a full recovery before next season. The 27-year-old just finished up his fifth season in the NFL with Houston and recorded 101 tackles (54 solo), one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 14 games played in 2019. He was a Pro Bowler in 2018 and has recorded 100-plus combined tackles in three of his five seasons in the league. McKinney has also missed just four games in five seasons, and he's an integral part of the middle of Houston's defense.

Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney signed a five-year, $50 million extension on Thursday. The deal includes $21 million in guarantees. A former second-round pick, McKinney has done nothing but produce in his three years in the NFL and has 287 tackles and nine sacks, including 129 tackles in 2016. He's a bit overshadowed on his own team next to the likes of J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus, but McKinney is an IDP beast in his own right. Houston's defense is full of talent.

Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney plans to drop around 10 pounds in the offseason. McKinney posted 95 combined tackles in 2017 after recording 129 combined tackles in 2016, and he also recorded just three sacks. He's not much of a pass rusher, but McKinney is excellent in run defense and is a core player for this Houston defense as they look to bounce back in 2018 with better all-around health. Playing lighter next season could make McKinney more attractive for those in IDP leagues.