The New York Giants have placed veteran kicker Graham Gano on injured reserve (IR) due to a herniated disc in his neck that is pressing against the spinal cord — an injury he disclosed last week.
“So, I started having some discomfort last week in my neck. I just thought it was normal, like you slept on it wrong. Then, after I came in on Monday, lifted, I felt like it was pretty intense pain. Had some nerve stuff going on,” Gano told reporters at the time. “Then went to the doctor, and he said it was a herniated disc in my neck. It’s pressing up against the spinal cord.
“But it was probably beginning to happen, and then just after lifting, you know, kind of let go. Nothing that I could really stop. It’s the same type of stuff I’ve been doing lift-wise. Super frustrating. But I had an injection yesterday on my spine. Hopefully, that will start helping out.”
In a Week 10 loss, Gano was replaced by kicker Younghoe Koo, who was elevated from the team’s practice squad. But with the 38-year-old showing no signs of improvement, the Giants placed him on IR, likely ending both his season and career in East Rutherford.
In 2023, Gano played only eight games due to a knee injury. The Giants turned to the waiver wire for help, and veteran Randy Bullock kicked for six games and Mason Crosby the other three. In 2024, Injuries limited Gano to 10 games. He was replaced by Greg Joseph for six games and Jude McAtamney for one.
This season, Gano is not completely healthy again. He kicked in five of the Giants’ 10 games thus far. McAtamney kicked in the other four, and the aforementioned Koo kicked in the other.
Earlier this week, the Giants signed undrafted rookie Ben Sauls to their practice squad, which now holds three kickers.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants place Graham Gano on injured reserve
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
