Are you my kicker?
The Giants released Younghoe Koo and could elevate undrafted rookie Ben Sauls from the practice squad Sunday to be their fourth full-time kicker this year, putting a twist on the children’s story “Are You My Mother?”
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Koo is the second kicker released this season by the Giants, joining Jude McAtamney. Graham Gano is on injured reserve after neck surgery.
Younghoe Koo of the New York Giants after he kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter of the Giants and Washington Commanders game in East Rutherford, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
That trio combined went 15-of-18 on field goals and 29-of-33 on PATs. Add in punter Jamie Gillan, who also missed a PAT earlier this season in a pinch.
The Giants used four kickers (including Gillan) in 2023 and three in 2024. Seven different people have attempted field goals and PATs for the Giants — including Mason Crosby, Randy Bullock and Greg Joseph — in the past three seasons as the formerly reliable Gano has battled a slew of injuries.
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal #73, during practice at the New York Giants training facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The leash ran out for North Jersey product Koo after he aborted a field goal against the Patriots two games ago and then missed two into the wind in the most recent game.
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The Giants are Sauls’ third team since August but he has yet to make his NFL debut. He converted 81.3 percent of his field goals at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Giants made three other transactions: claiming outside linebacker Caleb Murphy off waivers from the Patriots, re-signing cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse to the practice squad and opening Evan Neal’s practice window.
Neal, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, hasn’t played a snap all season and has been on injured reserve for the past four games because of a hamstring injury. He will now return to the practice field but it remains highly unlikely that he sees any action before heading to free agency.