The New York Giants kicked off their Week 8 preparation on Wednesday, and while the injury report reads like a hospital discharge list, there’s at least one piece of good news: Graham Gano is back. Well, sort of.
After spending weeks on injured reserve nursing a groin injury, the veteran kicker has been designated to return and participated fully in Wednesday’s practice. For a team that’s struggled to find consistency in pretty much every phase of the game, getting Gano back is like finding an extra twenty in your winter coat—unexpected, but very welcome.
Gano’s Status: Ready To Boot
Head Coach Brian Daboll didn’t mince words when asked about his kicker’s availability. “If Graham’s ready to go, Graham will be the kicker,” Daboll said matter-of-factly. It is refreshing honesty in a league where injury updates typically sound like diplomatic press conferences.
Gano looked sharp in practice, logging full participation—a stark contrast to the laundry list of players sitting out or working on a limited basis. The 38-year-old has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season for Big Blue, and his return couldn’t come at a better time as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
“He’s done a good job for us,” Daboll said. “Couldn’t do anything about the injury that he had.” Translation: Gano’s been solid when healthy, which is more than you can say for most of this roster.
The Walking Wounded
While Gano’s return offers a sliver of optimism, the rest of the injury report looks like a MASH unit. Linebacker Brian Burns (ankle), Safety Jevon Holland (knee), Cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee), and Linebacker Chauncey Golston (neck) all missed practice entirely. That’s four starters watching from the sidelines while the Eagles game looms.
Wide Receiver Darius Slayton managed limited participation despite a nagging hamstring issue, joining a crowded limited group that includes Tight End Daniel Bellinger, Linebacker Swayze Bozeman, and Center John Michael Schmitz, who’s working through the concussion protocol. The silver lining? Quarterback Jaxson Dart was a full participant despite an ankle concern, meaning the Giants should at least have their signal-caller ready for Sunday’s NFC East showdown.
What Gano’s Return Means
Getting Gano back stabilizes a special teams unit that’s been holding on by its fingernails. In a league where games are decided by three points or less more often than not, having a reliable kicker isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. The Giants learned that lesson the hard way during Gano’s absence. Now, if they can just get a few more bodies back from the treatment room, they might have a fighting chance against the Eagles. Might being the operative word.
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