The Kicking Curse Strikes Again: Graham Gano's Injury Woes Continue
In a season that has been anything but smooth for the New York Giants, kicker Graham Gano's journey has taken a series of unfortunate turns. After a promising start, Gano's availability has been a concern, and his recent return to the Injured Reserve (IR) list has sparked debates among fans and analysts alike.
It's a tale of resilience and accuracy, or rather, the lack thereof. Gano, now 38, has been a stalwart for the Giants since 2020, signing two three-year extensions worth a combined $30.5MM. However, his time with the team has been marred by injuries and inconsistent performances.
The 2023 season saw Gano sidelined for nine games due to a knee injury, and last year, a groin issue kept him out of action for seven contests. But it's not just the injuries; Gano's accuracy has been a cause for concern. In 2023, he missed six out of 17 field goal attempts, including two from inside the 30-yard line. While he showed some improvement in 2024, making nine out of 11 attempts, one miss was still from inside the 40-yard mark.
But here's where it gets controversial: Gano's return to IR this season. After a brief comeback, he was promptly placed back on the IR list, this time due to neck soreness, later diagnosed as a herniated disk. It's a situation that has left many questioning the team's decision-making and Gano's future with the Giants.
And this is the part most people miss: the Giants' kicking conundrum. With Gano's injuries and accuracy issues, the team has been forced to shuffle through kicking replacements. They signed veteran kicker Younghoe Koo to their practice squad, joining Jude McAtamney, already on the taxi squad. New York initially went with McAtamney during Gano's absence but later switched to Koo, who performed well in Chicago.
The Giants' kicking situation has become a revolving door, with the team now rostering three kickers on their practice squad: Koo, McAtamney, and Ben Sauls, who was added for extra insurance. Sauls, an undrafted free agent, has kicked for the Steelers in college and has been on a practice squad journey, recently released by the Falcons.
Financial implications also come into play. We previously identified Gano as a potential cap casualty, and with the team's current kicking situation, the Giants might be regretting not making a cost-cutting move earlier. Gano's contract, which expires in 2027, includes a potential out clause that could have saved the team $3.17MM in cap space with minimal dead money. A post-June 1 release could have saved even more, but now, his contract remains, and the Giants are paying three practice squad contracts.
Gano's future with the Giants is uncertain, and he could be a cut candidate once again. The current situation has left fans and experts wondering if the team will finally find a consistent, injury-free kicker.
What do you think? Should the Giants have acted earlier to cut costs and find a more reliable kicker? Share your thoughts in the comments!
