Xavier McKinney has never faced Rob Gronkowski before, but he’s watched the tight end continually pierce defenses en route to four Super Bowl titles with New England and Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers defeated the Giants last season, but McKinney missed the game with an injury. 

“I’ve watched him for a long time, and I wonder how people guard him,” McKinney said. “A lot of times, he looks like you really can’t guard him but I think you just got to be physical with him and just play the technique, trust your technique.” 

Gronkowski has been inactive in five of Tampa Bay’s past six games, but he said on Friday that the “arrow is pointing up” for a return when the Giants face the Buccaneers on Monday, according to ESPN. And if he does, it will mark the third consecutive game New York will face one of the league’s top tight ends — following Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Oakland’s Darren Waller. 

The Giants held both Kelce and Waller without a touchdown, allowing 11 catches for 119 yards combined, but Gronkowski recorded four touchdowns in the season’s first two games and represents one of “the game-wreckers that we gotta minimize or do our best to minimize,” defensive back Julian Love said. 

The key to defending Gronkowski and Tampa Bay’s offense comes via disguises, McKinney added. They want to confuse Brady in the pocket, eliminating the explosive plays, while acknowledging at the same time that “they might have their touchdowns,” he added. 

“We’ve got to be very conscious of where he is with situational football,” Joe Judge said. “[Gronkowski] has had a lot of big plays throughout the years playing with the same quarterback, Tom, so obviously he’s a big part of their game plan.” 

Logan Ryan was added to the injury report and didn’t practice because of COVID-19 protocols — resulting from a positive test Friday morning. LB Lorenzo Carter (illness/ankle), DB Nate Ebner (knee) and WR Sterling Shepard (quad) were the other three Giants who didn’t practice. 

RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), RB Devontae Booker (hip), FB Cullen Gillaspia (calf) and TE Kaden Smith (knee) were listed as limited participants, with Barkley trending toward a return after missing five games. Smith, who has three receptions this season, was a new addition to the injury report. 

Additionally, Andrew Thomas’ trend toward playing on Monday continued. He’s still listed on IR with his ankle injury, but participated in individual drills on Friday after practicing Thursday. 

J.R. Reed hasn’t played a defensive snap since New York claimed him off the Rams’ practice squad, but if Ryan misses Monday’s game, Reed could take on a larger role. 

Reed’s “definitely in the mix,” Judge said on Friday, as he rotates in throughout practice with Ryan, Love and McKinney. He’s also become acclimated to the Giants’ system over the last few weeks, inching closer to a point where he could help contribute to the defense. 

“He’s done a good job progressing for us,” Judge said. “He’s a guy that as you get more comfortable, you play more aggressive, and we’ve seen that from him.”