Giants Sticking with Greg Joseph if Graham Gano Isn't Ready

Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters he's unlikely to change kickers despite Joseph's two missed field goals in Sunday's loss.
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants place kicker Greg Joseph (34) kicks a field goal with punter Jamie Gillan (6) holding during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants place kicker Greg Joseph (34) kicks a field goal with punter Jamie Gillan (6) holding during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano, who’s been on injured reserve for four weeks after straining his hamstring in a  Week 2 loss at Washington, is eligible to have his 21-day window opened this week assuming he’s made enough progress to inch toward a return.

However, head coach Brian Daboll didn’t have an update on Gano or any of the injured players for that matter, telling reporters during his Monday call that he would have updates on WEdnesday once the team returns for practice.



Gano has been spotted outside at the start of the Giants practices, the period open to the media, and has not appeared to do much in the way of any activity, though whether he’s done stuff inside the field house or after practices close to the media is a possibility.

Still, given the nature of his injury, the Giants aren’t expected to rush him back, meaning he likely won’t be ready for this coming weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. And if he’s not ready, Daboll told reporters that the plan is to stick with Greg Joseph, who missed two field goals in Sunday’s loss to the Bengals.

Daboll’s revelation could mean that Gano isn’t that far off from returning to the point where it doesn’t make sense to cut Joseph and bring in another kicker. 

But again, hamstrings can be tricky and the Giants will no doubt want to make sure that both the hamstring and the groin injury that initially landed Gano on the injury report, are fully healed before upping his activity levels.


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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.