Malik Nabers: See video of NY Giants star receiver during practice
Get a closeup view of WR Malik Nabers working out at Giants practice in East Rutherford.
EAST RUTHERFORD – Losing Graham Gano on the opening kickoff of a game last season was a gut punch from which the New York Giants really never recovered.
That was rare enough.
Of course the Giants had to top that Sunday night, and not in a good way.
Gano was lost in pregame warmups when he suffered a groin injury on one of his final kicks into the net on the sideline while the Giants’ defensive players were getting their introductions prior to a 22-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the home opener at MetLife Stadium.
“It was just a normal warmup and it just pulled,” Gano said after the game. “I’ve been feeling great. I think that’s what’s frustrating. I’ve been doing all the right stuff. Taking care of my body, lifting well, pre-habbing so none of this type stuff happens. I’ve been hitting the ball great, in really good rhythm. It’s frustrating.
“I felt really great coming into the game. I had a really good pre-game warmup, then just pulled it.”
So, for the second time in as many years, the Giants had to essentially play without a kicker. Punter Jamie Gillan, the typical holder on the field goal unit, tried a point-after kick following Cam Skattebo’s touchdown run and the attempt was blocked.
The 38-year-old Gano returned for one field goal attempt in the second half, which he converted, his groin tightly wrapped. He suggested at his locker after the game that he was likely staring at an absence pending further tests and evaluation.
With that, here’s a look at some of the options for the Giants to take over kicking duties if Gano is injured and out:
Jude McAtamney
The former Rutgers Scarlet Knight came overseas from his native Ireland and completed his college career in Piscataway as a kickoff specialist. He signed with the Giants in the spring of 2024 as an undrafted free agent following impressive auditions at Rutgers Pro Day and their local Pro Day.
The 25-year-old McAtamney has been with the Giants as part of the International Pathway Program. He kicked in one game last year and booted one field goal and one extra point.
Younghoe Koo
The 30-year-old from Ridgewood was released by the Atlanta Falcons last Friday, ending his tenure there that began in 2019. Koo put up 700 career points for the Falcons, good for third most in franchise history behind Matt Bryant and Morten Andersen.
Michael Badgley
The Summit native has a great nickname – “Money Badger” – but he’s bounced around in recent seasons. He missed all of last season with a leg injury and his replacement with the Lions, Jake Bates, is still kicking for the NFC North heavyweights.
Zane Gonzalez
The 30-year-old worked out for Giants last season when Gano went on IR in September.
In six regular season games last year with the Commanders, Gonzalez made 5 of 7 field goals and 19 of 19 extra points. Also, he won the playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by kicking a decisive 37-yard field goal with three seconds remaining. Gonzalez made 3-of-3 field goals in the game, including a 22-yard kick and a 52-yard kick, his longest of the year.
Riley Patterson
Worked out for Giants last season when Gano went on IR. He’s been elevated by the Dolphins from the practice squad over this year’s first three weeks, replacing Jason Sanders, who has a hip injury. He has converted all of his kicks (six extra points, two field goals). The Giants would have to sign Patterson from the Dolphins’ PSQ, and then would owe him three weeks’ pay regardless of how long he stays on the team.