Giants linebacker finally gets opportunity he returned for | Exclusive

"I'm human, and some days were better than others," McFadden told NorthJersey.com and The Record at his locker after practice Thursday. "Some days, you're wishing you were in a different position. But those feelings come and go, I wanted to be here, and at a certain point, you've got to lock in, focus on the task at hand and be ready when your number's called. Because in this game, you never know when that may be."

That time for McFadden is now. He will start next to Reese when the Giants (3-2-1) face the Texans (2-4) as double-digit underdogs on the road inside Reliant Stadium in the aftermath of a torn pectoral muscle for Edmunds that will land him on injured reserve, likely costing him the remainder of this season.

McFadden has played just two defensive snaps this year, instead emerging as a core special teamer with Reese missing just three snaps on defense and Edmunds playing all 380 on that side of the ball for Big Blue through six games.

"You've seen him play in the preseason. He was flying around. He was making a whole bunch of plays," Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said of McFadden, 26. "He can play pass coverage, he can blitz. When the ball breaks, he goes and gets it down. He's a sideline-to-sideline guy. He's a starter in the National Football League that was just playing his role, just like you said. If he has a bigger role, he'll be ready for it. He's prepared for it. He's done it. He's done it at a high level. He was playing great football last year until he got hurt. For us, Micah has been ready to play. He's ready to play right now, and we're excited for the opportunity that he'll have."

The expectation is that McFadden will wear the green dot on his helmet, meaning that he will be responsible for distributing the play call to the entire defense before every snap. The Giants also considered giving that job to Reese, but the 21-year-old rookie has been playing so well in his current role, using McFadden to replace Edmunds in that regard was the obvious move.

"The most important thing about communication and the green dot is making sure we're all on the same page every single play," McFadden said. "From the d-line, through the middle and to the back end, if we're all on the same page, everything else should take care of itself."

"I appreciate these coaches recognizing the work that I have put in, and I'm grateful to be healthy again," McFadden said. "I'm grateful to be able to play this game, and one of the things I've learned from the injury that took this away for a year, it's that there is always an appreciation for how much you really love the game, and that sometimes you take things for granted after a certain amount of time."

McFadden represented value as depth on defense and on special teams after signing a one-year deal worth $3.5 million, and from the moment Harbaugh and his coaching staff began evaluating the roster, he was praised for being an asset.

"There's a sense of security knowing that I have three guys [at inside linebacker] I can put out there and we can play at a high level,” Giants linebackers coach Frank Bush said this summer. “Micah is a pro’s pro. When he’s out there, there are certain things we do that he’s an example for the rest of the guys in the room, he does it right and I can use that film as teaching film. To his credit, he’s embraced his role, he’s making plays and he’s putting pressure on us to put him out there."

McFadden was drafted by the Giants in the 2022 fifth round, and after grabbing a starting spot in 2023, the former Indiana standout put together back-to-back 100-plus tackle campaigns. The foot injury that required surgery completely derailed his contract year a year ago.

"Whenever an opportunity arises, you've got to take it and make the most of it," McFadden said. "This is where I wanted to be, and I want to help this team win any way I can. That has never changed. Obviously, hindsight's 20-20 and you never know what's gonna happen. I'm lucky to be in this room, I'm grateful to be in this room, and I knew when they brought those guys in, I just told myself that, whatever happens, I will make the most of my opportunity."

A look at where NY Giants inside linebacker depth chart stands

McFadden and Reese will be the starters while rookie sixth-round pick Jack Kelly shifts into the role the former held, presumably. Zaire Barnes and Malik Harrison are core special teamers with one defensive snap between them in 2026.

With the trade deadline approaching on Nov. 10 and the circumstances changing at the position with Edmunds' anticipated long-term absence, the Giants could look to add someone for more stability and upside potential.

Here's a look at three possible additions the Giants could consider at inside linebacker:

Bobby Wagner, free agent

The future Hall of Famer and former Super Bowl champion had reportedly stated he hoped to play a 15th season at age 36. Wagner showed he still has some gas in the tank last season after starting all 17 games for Washington last year with 162 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. The Giants should check in on the cousin of Giants two-time Super Bowl champion and team captain Justin Tuck.

Matt Milano, free agent

The former Bills linebacker has had bad injury luck the past three seasons, playing in just 21 regular-season games over that span. His name has been floated around as an option for Green Bay, which lost Edgerrin Cooper to a torn Achilles. Giants GM Joe Schoen joined the staff in Buffalo when Milano was drafted in 2017.

Daiyan Henley, Chargers

It's hard to believe Jim Harbaugh's team is 0-6. Will there be a sale of players by the Chargers? Too soon to tell, but know this: Henley can be a difference-maker as a blitzer and in coverage and sideline-to-sideline tackler.

Henley has racked up 302 total tackles over four seasons with five sacks, one forced fumble, and three interceptions.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants linebacker finally gets opportunity he returned for | Exclusive