Giants' Graham Gano out at least 'a few weeks' with hamstring injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants will be without kicker Graham Gano for at least "a few weeks" because of a hamstring injury, according to coach Brian Daboll.

Gano, who already was dealing with a groin injury heading into Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders, then injured his hamstring trying to chase down the returner on the opening kickoff, leaving the Giants without a kicker for the remainder of the game.

Both injuries were to Gano's kicking leg.

"He has a hamstring, so we'll see where he's at and I would assume it's going to be a few weeks here," Daboll said Monday.

New York plans to hold a kicker workout this week with the intention on adding a veteran to the roster. The Giants currently have rookie Jude McAtamney, an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, on the practice squad with an international pathway roster exemption.

"He's done a great job. He has a very talented leg," Gano said. "I think he will play. He has the ability to do that at some point. ... He's been doing a great job. He's been working really hard and he has a bright future for sure."

Gano, 37, could end up on injured reserve. He originally popped up on the injury report Saturday with the groin problem. He had trouble moving and bending after the game because of the hamstring injury.

Daboll took criticism after the last-second loss for not having a contingency plan in place for Gano, who was clearly affected prior to the game. Gano admitted the groin was bothering him before the game and looked uncomfortable at times during warmups. Gano even went inside at one point to get his groin wrapped.

Not having a kicker for all but one play in the contest proved costly for the Giants. Punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point attempt after their first touchdown, and Daboll opted against kicking for the remainder of the contest.

New York bypassed a 39-yard field goal attempt with just over two minutes remaining in a tie game.

Daboll chalked the way the situation unfolded to bad luck and did not link Gano's two injuries.

"He didn't hurt his groin," Daboll said. "He hurt his hamstring."

It's the second straight year the Giants have been in this situation. Gano tried to play through an injury last year and missed a pair of makeable kicks in an overtime loss to the New York Jets. He eventually needed surgery and missed the final nine games of the season.

Gano returned and looked fine this summer. He made his first two field goals this season, with one being from 50 yards.