The New York Giants are facing a challenging situation as their placekicker, Graham Gano, suffered a significant hamstring injury during the very first play of the recent loss to the Washington Commanders. Head coach Brian Daboll indicated on Monday that Gano is likely to be out for “a few weeks,” which raises concerns about the team’s kicking strategy moving forward.

This unfortunate injury means that the Giants will need to acquire a new placekicker for their upcoming Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, and possibly for several weeks thereafter. Gano, now 37 years old, is at risk of landing on injured reserve for the second consecutive season, which could impact the team’s overall performance and strategy significantly.

Currently, the Giants have an undrafted rookie, Jude McAtamney, on their practice squad. McAtamney previously handled kickoffs for Rutgers last season and achieved a solid record of 12 successful field goals out of 18 attempts for the Scarlet Knights in 2022. This experience might be beneficial as the team evaluates its options for filling Gano’s position.

Coach Daboll confirmed that the Giants will evaluate experienced placekickers in the coming days to determine the best candidate to fill the crucial kicking role. This decision is essential for maintaining the team’s competitive edge in the upcoming games.

“We’ll make a decision off of the workout,” Daboll stated, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right player to ensure the team’s success moving forward.

Despite Gano’s presence on the injury report due to a groin injury, the Giants did not elevate McAtamney from the practice squad for the game against the Washington Commanders. This decision has faced significant criticism, and many are questioning the coaching staff’s judgment in handling the situation, particularly given the team’s need for reliable kicking.

Among the available veteran placekickers is Randy Bullock, who served as a substitute for Gano in 2023, starting six games. Bullock, aged 34, successfully converted 5 out of 6 field goals and made all 10 extra point attempts while with the Giants, showcasing his reliability with a longest field goal of 56 yards.

Bullock was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Over the years, he has played for several teams, including the Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and the Giants, making him a seasoned player with valuable experience.

Another option on the market is Brandon McManus, who the Giants traded to the Denver Broncos at the end of the 2014 preseason. McManus, now 33, played for the Broncos for nine seasons and had a productive year with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, converting 30 of 37 field goals for an impressive success rate of 81.1%.

Although McManus signed with the Washington Commanders during free agency, he was released in June following a serious allegation of sexual assault. This situation adds another layer of complexity to the Giants’ search for a reliable placekicker.