The Giants and McKenzie (lower body) reached an injury settlement Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported.
McKenzie was set to spend the 2024 season on injured reserve with the Giants after suffering a lower body injury in the preseason, but he'll now have a chance to return to the field with a new team. The wide receiver appeared in 13 contests with the Colts in 2023, racking up 11 catches for 82 yards while also compiling 356 total yards on kick and punt returns.
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Giants' Isaiah McKenzie: Placed on season-ending IR
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The Giants placed McKenzie (lower body) on injured reserve Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
New York opted not to designate McKenzie for return, meaning his placement on injured reserve is season-ending, barring an injury settlement. The veteran wideout reportedly suffered a knee laceration and a right foot injury during the Giants' final preseason game. His absence for the 2024 season will open up opportunities in the return game for other players on New York's roster, especially if Gunner Olszewski (groin) doesn't return to full health in quick fashion.
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Giants' Isaiah McKenzie: Banged up heading into Week 1
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McKenzie suffered a right foot injury and also had a laceration on his knee following Saturday's 10-6 preseason loss to the Jets, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.
McKenzie recorded two receptions on two targets for 15 yards and was also the team's primary punt returner. The latter role is his potential path to a roster spot, as McKenzie tallied 204 punt return yards and 152 kick return yards in 2023. He's on the roster bubble and will now be set for an MRI in the coming days, another factor that could affect his status with the Giants.
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Giants' Isaiah McKenzie: Set to sign with Giants
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McKenzie and the Giants reached an agreement Tuesday on a one-year contract, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
The deal reunites him with Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who was the offensive coordinator in Buffalo from 2018 to 2021. McKenzie was the Bills' third or fourth WR for much of that time, though his receiving production peaked in 2022 (42-423-4) under OC Ken Dorsey and then crashed in 2023 (11-82-0) when the wideout left for Indianapolis. McKenzie turns 29 in April and may end up contributing more as a return man than a wide receiver in New York.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Suspension lifted by Colts
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The Colts activated McKenzie from the reserve-suspended list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
McKenzie was suspended by Indianapolis on Dec. 19 for conduct detrimental to the team. He did not play in the final three games of the regular season and finished the year with 11 catches on 14 targets for 82 yards over 13 games.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Gets suspended by team
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The Colts placed McKenzie on their reserve/suspended list for the remainder of the season Tuesday for conduct detrimental to the team, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
McKenzie was a healthy scratch for Saturday's game versus the Steelers, and he'll now miss the rest of the year. D.J. Montgomery could see some more reps out of the slot in the meantime.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Inactive Saturday
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McKenzie is inactive for Saturday's game against the Steelers.
With McKenzie a healthy scratch Saturday, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce will lead the Colts' Week 15 WR corps, with D.J. Montgomery and Ethan Fernea in reserve. McKenzie, who last caught a pass in Week 10, has recorded an 11/82/0 receiving line on 14 targets through 13 contests this season.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Full go Thursday
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McKenzie (toe) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
The veteran wideout missed Wednesday's practice with a toe injury, but after practicing with no limitations Thursday, it seems as if he's been able to move past the issue. McKenzie has filled a limited offensive role in his first year with Indianapolis, catching 11 of his 14 targets for 82 yards and playing on 14 percent of the team's offensive snaps.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Estimated as DNP on Wednesday
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McKenzie (toe) was listed as a nonparticipant on the Colts' practice estimate Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie played just five offensive snaps during Sunday's win versus the Buccaneers, and that he may have been nursing a toe injury would be a reasonable explanation for his limited involvement. Indianapolis' injury reports Thursday and Friday will give a better idea of whether he'll be available in Week 13 at Tennessee.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Plays just six snaps on offense
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McKenzie had one carry for three yards and didn't have a target in Sunday's 27-20 win over Tampa Bay. He also returned one punt for 13 yards.
McKenzie played just six snaps on offense as he moved back to mostly a special teams role with the Colts' top three receivers healthy.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Four grabs in win
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McKenzie reeled in all four of this targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Patriots.
McKenzie four receptions on four targets and 31 yards were season-highs in each category. Additionally, the veteran's 46 percent offensive snap share was his highest mark of the 2023 campaign. With that said, McKenzie was unable to take a big leap in his production as fellow wideout Michael Pittman soaked up 12 targets from Gardner Minshew. The 28-year-old McKenzie should continue to stay off the fantasy radar going forward based on his minimal product through 10 games. The Colts enter their Week 11 bye before hosting the Buccaneers on Nov. 26.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Two receptions in win
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McKenzie had two receptions for 12 yards on three targets in Sunday's win at Carolina. He also had three punt returns for an 11-yard average.
McKenzie played a season-high 24 snaps on offense with Josh Downs leaving with a knee injury. McKenzie would likely be the starting slot receiver Sunday against the Patriots in Germany if Downs were to miss the game.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Two receptions in loss
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McKenzie had two receptions for 23 yards on two targets and returned two punts for 13 yards in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
McKenzie played just four snaps on offense as continues to primarily serve as a special-teams player. However, he could see a larger role on offense if Alec Pierce misses time with a shoulder injury.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Takes over kick-return role
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McKenzie had one carry for four yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's win over Tennessee. He returned one punt for five yards and one kickoff for 19 yards.
McKenzie was used on a gadget option play in the backfield but otherwise wasn't a factor in the offense. He played on seven of the offense's 66 snaps. His primary role remains in the return game, where he added kickoff-return duties to his punt-return job after the season-ending injury to Dallis Flowers (Achilles).
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Just one reception
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McKenzie had one reception for six yards on three targets in Sunday's overtime loss to the Rams. He also returned one punt for 13 yards.
McKenzie played on seven of the offense's 64 snaps as he continues to have a limited role as the fourth receiver. He could have a larger role on special teams with Dallis Flowers' season-ending Achilles injury, as McKenzie may take over Flower's role as the primary kickoff returner as well.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Makes impact on punt returns
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McKenzie had one reception for three yards on his only target in Sunday's overtime win over Baltimore. He also returned two punts for 16 and 32 yards.
McKenzie played just nine snaps on offense, a slight increase from two snaps Week 2. He has a limited role as the Colts' fourth receiver but made an impact as a punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Records first reception with Indy
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McKenzie had one reception for seven yards on one target in Sunday's win at Houston. He also returned one punt for no gain.
McKenzie played just two snaps on offense after only playing special teams in Week 1. McKenzie lost the starting slot receiver role to rookie Josh Downs in preseason, and the former is therefore likely to mostly be used as a punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Limited to punt returns
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McKenzie had two punt returns for an average of 10 yards in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville. He played just one snap on offense and didn't have any targets.
McKenzie lost the starting slot receiver role to rookie Josh Downs, and it looks like he'll have a very limited role on offense. He'll be used as the team's punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Brought back by Indy
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The Colts re-signed McKenzie on Thursday.
After initially cutting McKenzie earlier Wednesday, the Colts opted to bring the veteran slot man aboard, likely at a more team-friendly price. As Week 1 approaches, McKenzie will likely vie with rookie Josh Downs for snaps alongside the team's top two receivers, Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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Isaiah McKenzie: Let go by Indianapolis
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The Colts released McKenzie on Wednesday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
The move doesn't come as a total shock, given the lack of guaranteed money on McKenzie's one-year contract. Rookie Josh Downs locked down the No. 3 wideout job for Indianapolis, and he and cornerback Dallis Flowers can handle any return work that might otherwise have gone to McKenzie.
