Graham Gano – Syndication Server

Giants activate Graham Gano off IR, elevate two from practice squad

The New York Giants have activated kicker Graham Gano from injured reserve (IR) and elevated two others from their practice squad.

The New York Giants have activated kicker Graham Gano from injured reserve (IR) ahead of their Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.

Gano suffered a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff against the Washington Commanders in Week 2 after starting the game with a groin injury.

Because of the personnel mismanagement, the Giants were left without a kicker for the duration of the game and ended up losing, 21-18.

In Gano’s absence, the Giants turned to kicker Greg Joseph but he, too, landed on IR with an abdominal injury last week. He was replaced by practice squad kicker Jude McAtamney, who made his NFL debut.

In addition to activating Gano from IR, the Giants also elevated wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins and linebacker Curtis Bolton from their practice squad.

Hodgins is in line to see some offensive snaps with fellow wide receiver Darius Slayton out on Sunday due to a concussion. He will pair with second-year wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, who is also likely to see a larger role.

This is Hodgins’ third and final standard elevation. If the team wishes to use him again this season, it will have to sign him to their 53-man roster.

This is Bolton’s first standard elevation. He has two remaining.

Minor roster note: Offensive tackle Joshua Miles had his practice squad terminated.

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Giants’ Darius Slayton, Bryce Ford-Wheaton out vs. Panthers

New York Giants wide receivers Darius Slayton and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are out against the Carolina Panthers, and four others are questionable.

The New York Giants wrapped up their week of practice on Friday morning in Germany and their final injury report is a bit of a mixed bag.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton, who remains in concussion protocol, did not make the flight with his teammates and was officially ruled out on Thursday evening.

The good news is that offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, kicker Graham Gano, and punter Jamie Gillan all made the trip.

“We’ll go ahead and go through practice like we normally do and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do. But, I think for both the kickers and for Chris, that’s looking positive. So, we’ll see,” Daboll told reporters.

Meanwhile, wide receiver and special teams ace, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, also failed to make the trip and will be out on Sunday.

Daboll also expressed doubt about the availability ot safety Jason Pinnock.

“Pinnock is a concern for the game. I wouldn’t rule him out, but he’s probably the one,” he said.

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Panthers can be found below:

New York Giants

Out: WR Darius Slayton (concussion), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: LB Matthew Adams (calf), K Graham Gano (hamstring), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring)

Carolina Panthers

Out: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Questionable: N/A

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Giants injury report: Darius Slayton out vs. Panthers

New York Giants wide receivers Darius Slayton and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are unlikely to play in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers.

Editor’s note: Darius Slayton did not travel with the team to Germany and is officially out in Week 10.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll delivered the unfortunate news that wide receivers Darius Slayton and Bryce Ford-Wheaton are unlikely to travel and will subsequently miss Sunday’s game against Carolina.

On the flip side of that coin, both kicker Graham Gano and punter Jamie Gillan continue to progress and are likely to suit up in Week 10. Gillan is all but guaranteed to play and Daboll says Gano has a strong chance.

The coach also revealed that offensive lineman Greg Van Roten should be “OK” to play on Sunday.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: WR Darius Slayton (concussion), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), OL Chris Hubbard (illness)

Limited participant: K Graham Gano (hamstring), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), TE Theo Johnson (knee/back), LB Ty Summers (ankle), NT Dexter Lawrence (NIR), OL Greg Van Roten (shoulder), LB Matthew Adams (calf), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen), LB Darius Muasau (hamstring)

Full participant: None

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Giants injury report: Graham Gano designated to return from IR

The New York Giants have designated kicker Graham Gano to return from IR, while WR Darius Slayton’s Week 10 availability looks grim.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers at Allianz
Arena in Munich, Germany.

Before heading out into the Spring-like weather, head coach Brian Daboll informed reporters that kicker Graham Gano had his practice window opened and suggested there’s a chance he would play on Sunday.

The news wasn’t nearly as positive for wide receiver Darius Slayton, who remains in concussion protocol and is behind where running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was a week ago. Daboll said Slayton may not travel to Germany with the team.

“Not there yet. He could possibly not travel. We’ll see where he’s at,” Daboll told reporters. “That hasn’t been decided yet, but if he’s not progressing where he needs to progress, there’s a chance we could not travel him.”

Daboll also revealed that wide receiver and special teams ace, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, remains out with an Achilles injury.

Finally, punter Matt Haack, who had his contract terminated on Tuesday, has been signed to the practice squad. Cornerback Art Green has been signed from the reserve unit to the 53-man roster.

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: WR Darius Slayton (concussion), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), OL Greg Van Roten (shoulder), NT Dexter Lawrence (NIR)

Limited participant: K Graham Gano (hamstring), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), TE Theo Johnson (knee/back), LB Ty Summers (ankle)

Full participant: None

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Giants’ Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan close to returning

The New York Giants are close to getting both kicker Graham Gano and punter Jamie Gillan back on the field.

The New York Giants have been without kicker Graham Gano since he suffered a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff in a Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Since then, they’ve used both Greg Joseph, who is now on injured reserve (IR) with an abdomen issue, and the Irish-born Jude McAtamney.

But that hasn’t been the only hit on special teams.

The Giants have also been without punter Jamie Gillan since Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks after he suffered a hamstring injury. Although he wasn’t placed on IR, the team has ruled him out in four consecutive games.

Matt Haack has served as Gillan’s replacement.

While Joseph, McAtamney, and Haack have played admirably, the Giants could be getting both Gano and Gillan back as early as this week.

“I still have to meet with our medical guys, but I think Graham is getting close. How close he is right now, I think we’ll know here in the next couple days,” head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday.

“I think that (Gillan) progressed well. We’ll see here (on Tuesday) or Wednesday where he’s at. I think he has a chance.”

The Giants are off on Tuesday but will conduct practices on both Wednesday and Thursday before flying to Germany on Thursday night. They will hold a final practice on Friday and then release their injury report. If both players travel, it’s a good indication they will be active.

Gillan will receive a designation on Friday but Gano would have to be activated from IR first.

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Giants likely to stick with kicker Greg Joseph in Week 7

If Graham Gano does not return from injured reserve this week, the New York Giants are likely to stick with kicker Greg Joseph in Week 7.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll says the team will stick with kicker Greg Joseph if Graham Gano does not return from injured reserve (IR) this week.

“I’d say we’d stay with Greg,” he told reporters on Monday.

Joseph missed two field goals in the fourth quarter on Sunday night — from 47 and 45 yards. Both kicks sailed wide to the left.

“He’s done pretty good since he’s been here,” said Daboll. “And then, we missed two of them.”

Gano has been out since suffering a hamstring injury on the first play of the Giants’ loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 2. He had missed the second half of last season with a knee injury.

Daboll said he’ll speak to the medical teams this week about Gano’s status but if he can’t go, there isn’t likely to be a kicker change.

Joesph had hit eight consecutive field goal attempts before Sunday night. His last 10 kickoffs have all gone for touchbacks and he is perfect on his seven extra point attempts.

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It’s only Week 3 and Giants are already playing specialist roulette

Injuries already have the New York Giants playing “specialist roulette” and it’s only Week 3 of the 2024 regular season.

It’s only Week 3 but the New York Giants’ special teams are already a revolving door.

First, the Giants lost returners Isaiah McKenzie and Gunner Olszewski to injuries and last week, had to play without a kicker after Graham Gano tweaked a hamstring on the opening kickoff and was ruled out.

This week, the Giants signed veteran kicker Cory Joseph to spell Gano, who was placed on injured reserve (IR). But he has yet to be named the starter.

Joseph will apparently still have to beat out practice squadder Jude McAtamney for the role.

“It’s going to be good competition between him and Jude,” special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said on Thursday. “I think at the end of the day, you always want to have multiple specialists on your roster.

“Jude, again, (we) have ultimate confidence in him and his ability to go out there and have success. And then the same thing with Greg. The thing that Greg has is obviously the experience of kicking in games and obviously the good production with that. And then Jude, like I said, had a very promising preseason.

“So, it’s not necessarily a lack of what he still needs to prove or still needs to show. We’re going take it down the wire and figure out who gives us the best chance to win in Cleveland.”

At returner, the Giants signed Ihmir Smith-Marsette last week but he did not get on the field. It appears he may have been the primary punt returner but there was one catch — the Commanders did not punt in the game.

“Honestly, him being here for a little bit over a week now, you’re excited for him to get those opportunities,” Ghobrial said. “The thing I love about him is he’s not going necessarily… He’s a great teammate and you could feel that already. When he gets his opportunities, he’s going to be excited to take advantage of that. So, the person has definitely checked all the boxes.

“The player has checked all the boxes. He approaches the game the right way. In practice, he’s always asking questions on exactly where we want things to unfold. Obviously, we’re excited for him when he gets his opportunity to go out there and have success.”

The Giants have been using running backs Eric Gray and Tyron Tracy Jr. as kick returners. Gray, if you recall, was a disaster in that role last year as a rookie. So far, he’s averaged 25.0 yards per return on six attempts with no turnovers.

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Giants place Graham Gano on IR, sign kicker Greg Joseph

The New York Giants have placed Graham Gano on IR, signed kicker Greg Joseph, and claimed LB Patrick Johnson off of waivers from Philly.

The New York Giants have signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.

Joesph will fill the void left by Graham Gano, who injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff in the Giants’ 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The team officially placed Gano on injured reserve (IR) on Tuesday.

The Giants worked out a group of kickers on Monday, including former Giant Randy Bullock and practice squadder Jude McAntamney. As a member of the Lions at the time, Joseph did not attend the tryout.

The Giants will be Joesph’s ninth NFL team since coming into the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Florida Atlantic in 2018.

Joseph, 30, has played in 67 NFL regular season games and four postseason games. He has an 82.6 percent accuracy rate on field goals and a 90.1 percent accuracy rate on point-after attempts.

In his NFL career, Joesph has hit 16 of 28 attempts from over 50 yards with a long of 61 yards.

Additionally, the Giants also claimed linebacker Patrick Johnson off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 26-year-old Johnson was a seventh-round pick of the Eagles in the 2021 NFL draft. He’s appeared in 49 career games (two starts), recording 35 tackles (one for a loss), three QB hits, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

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Giants kicker Graham Gano out ‘several weeks’

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano will be “out several weeks” after injuring his hamstring in Week 2.

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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Inexplicably poor personnel management dooms Giants again

For the second consecutive week, poor personnel management cost the New York Giants big, this time in a loss to the Washington Commanders.

The New York Giants fell to the Washington Commanders, 21-18, on Sunday afternoon at Northwest Stadium but the game had been lost 24 hours earlier.

On Saturday, as the team readied themselves for a trip to the Nation’s capital, kicker Graham Gano was added to the injury report with a groin issue. Practice squad kicker Jude McAtamney was not among those elevated.

Instead, the Giants entered a Week 2 game with just 52 players on their active roster after return man Gunner Olszewski was placed on injured reserve (IR) one week after it was revealed he would miss several weeks (possibly months). The two practice squad elevations were linebackers Ty Summers and Tomon Fox.

One would think the Giants learned their lesson in 2023 when they trotted out an injured Gano only to see him struggle in an overtime loss to the Jets. A day later, he was shut down for the season with a knee injury.

But these Giants — and specifically head coach Brian Daboll — don’t learn. And on Sunday, history repeated itself as Gano was lost on the opening kickoff after sustaining a hamstring injury, which may have occurred due to overcompensating for the groin injury.

Even if that wasn’t the case, the Giants had no business using Gano on the opening kickoff. They had an open roster spot and they decided to play a man short. They also could have used punter Jamie Gillan on kickoffs, as they did after Gano left the game.

Here’s a look at how those decisions impacted the team’s snap counts.

Offensive snaps: 56
Defensive snaps: 72
Special teams snaps: 21

The decision to play a man short and carry an injured kick had a dramatic ripple effect on the Giants. Not only was Gillan forced into the kicking role, missing his sole extra point attempt and forcing the team to play four-down ball with only two-point attempts after scores, but it altered other positions.

Backup quarterback Drew Lock saw his first action of the season, serving as the holder on that point-after attempt. It messed with the entire exchange and cost the Giants one point.

The two other failed two-point attempts cost them four points, which would have been an easy two points had McAtamney been available. And in a game lost by three, those 3-5 points were the difference.

Even more ironic, Summers and Fox were elevated because rookie linebacker Darius Muasau was inactive and fellow linebacker Micah McFadden was returning from injury. Neither saw a single defense snap, instead appearing only on special teams — the very unit that cost New York the game due to poor personnel management.

Remarkable ineptitude.

Should we even bother to discuss the nearly non-existent role of wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, who somehow took just 12 snaps while Darius Slayton’s penalties and dropped two-point attempt helped doom the team?

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