The New York Giants’ 2024 season hinges on a specific participant — quarterback Daniel Jones — efficiently rehabbing from ACL surgical procedure and returning to motion one hundred pc.
However there’s one other knee the crew can be keeping track of this summer season. That of veteran kicker Graham Gano, who additionally missed the second half of the 2023 season with an damage to his left knee that required surgical procedure.
The 37-year-old Gano’s damage was to his plant leg, not his kicking leg, and though it was reported in mid-October, he was not positioned on injured reserve (IR) till November 3.
Gano, who had been hitting over 90 % of his area purpose makes an attempt since changing into a Large in 2020, was simply 11-of-17 final yr. He was additionally coping with a proper ankle difficulty early on within the yr.
The Giants changed Gano on the roster with Randy Bullock and Mason Crosby. Punter Jamie Gillan was additionally thrust into spot placekicking responsibility one week.
This spring, Gano — who’s underneath contract till 2026 — was again on the sphere at OTAs kicking, however the Giants aren’t taking any possibilities. They’ll have former Rutgers standout Jude McAtamney readily available in case Gano ought to endure a setback.
First-year Giants particular crew coordinator Michael Ghobrial is wanting ahead to working with Gano this summer season and past.
“He’s an amazing individual to have within the room, a man that’s seen a variety of soccer,” Ghobrial stated on the Giants’ minicamp in mid-June. “He has nice foot accuracy. You clearly see the explosive leg… So it’s been enjoyable to work with him and to see his skillset when it comes to the kickoff and area purpose stuff. I’m excited for him to begin off day one with us.”
Ghobrial additionally addressed the plan for Gano this summer season, which is able to rely upon how nicely Gano is coming alongside.
“I believe you at all times have to watch what number of kicks a specialist has typically,” he stated. “However the reality of the matter is that is sort of a dialog that you just at all times have with the participant. How are you feeling at this time? The largest factor is you need to be certain that they present as much as the sport wholesome and able to go. I’ve seen him do every thing that I have to.”
That’s excellent news for the Giants. Gano has been a stalwart for them and so they want the entire consistency they will get as they try and climb again into competition.
