AP

The Bengals are giving up 4.2 yards per carry this season, a number they hope will go down now that defensive tackle Pat Sims is back in action.

Cincinnati activated Sims from the physically unable to perform list on Friday, which means he could be active against the Giants in a game the Bengals need to win to keep their flagging playoff hopes alive. Sims has been out nearly a year since injuring his ankle against the Browns late last November and started practicing with the team last week.

Sims was a third round pick in 2008 and has played 52 games for the Bengals since they acquired him. He’s started 23 of those games, moving into a run-stopping role in the team’s defensive line rotation in the last couple of years. Geno Atkins and Domata Peko start for the Bengals on the interior of the line and Sims will try to provide the team with more help against opposing ground attacks.

The Bengals cut linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy to make room for Sims on the active roster.