New York Giants kicker Graham Gano is expected to be out “several weeks” after injuring his hamstring during the opening kickoff in Sunday’s 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders.
“He has a hamstring so we’ll see where he’s at and I would assume it’s going to be a few weeks here,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Monday. “We’ll work guys out and Jude (McAtamney) has been with us so we’ll make a decision off of the workout. Based on how they do in the workout and then Jude.”
Gano, who was added to the Giants’ injury report on Saturday with a groin issue, tweaked his hamstring chasing Commanders kick returner Austin Ekeler down the sideline on the opening play.
Ekeler scored but the play was negated by a Washington penalty.
Jude McAtamney, who spent the offseason on the Giants’ 90-man roster and is currently on the practice squad, will be one of the candidates.
Daboll was criticized for not making McAtamney available for Sunday’s game, one in which they ended up playing without a kicker.
“We thought Graham would be okay,” Daboll said on Sunday. “(Gano) got hurt chasing down (the returner). It was a hamstring. He didn’t hurt his groin. He hurt his hamstring… We thought he was good. All the decisions that are made are mine.”
As a result of having no kicker, the Giants — after punter Jamie Gillen missed the first point after attempt — decided to go for two on their next two conversion tries. They both failed.
The Giants finished with 18 points and lost, 21-18, in the final seconds.
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