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[New York Giants]

Giants’ placekicking job a ‘week to week’ decision

Jude McAtamney converted on two short field goals and an extra point in place of injured placekicker Graham Gano on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. With veteran placekicker Younghoe Koo on the team’s practice squad, New York Giants special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial would not commit on Thursday to McAtamney keeping the job.

“Although Jude did a really nice job for us and excelled with everything we were asking him to do, I think ultimately, you still treat that like a competition and every week is a new week,” Ghobrial said. “We’ll take a common-sense approach as we have more discussions as a coaching staff later in the week.”

Sunday’s game was McAtamney’s second in the NFL. He was on the Giants’ practice squad last season and kicked in one game as a replacement for the injured Gano. Koo, 31, was recently released by the Atlanta Falcons. He has kicked in 93 regular-season games, and has made 181 of 211 field-goal attempts (85.8%).

Koo just joined the Giants last week.

“Koo obviously is a very accomplished kicker and there’s still an acclimation period where that guy has to get used to the operation of snap and hold, obviously,” Koo said. “The more time on task, I think that transition could happen for him. I think Jude just obviously having been here, understood the operation time a little bit more and we just felt like he gave us the best chance to win that week.”

Gano, on Injured Reserve with a groin injury, has to miss at least three more games. How the placekicking situation evolves will be worth watching.

Tae Banks, return man​

The Giants surprisingly debuted cornerback Tae Banks, the team’s first-round pick in 2023, as a kickoff returner on Sunday against the Chargers. It doesn’t sound like Sunday’s kickoff return appearance, during which he had returns of 33 and 21 yards, will be a one-off for Banks.

The Giants have rotated kickoff returners next to Gunner Olszewski this season, using Wan’Dale Robinson, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary and Banks. Those four players have had 16 return opportunities. Opposing teams have kicked to Olszewski just one time.

Ghobrial said Banks, who is splitting cornerback reps with Cor’Dale Flott, could “potentially” be the answer to the return rotation.

“We’ll have more conversations at the end of the week, but Tae is definitely a guy that could do it at a high level for a long time,” Ghobrial said.

Banks is 6-foot, 197 pounds and ran a 4.35 40-yard dash before the 2023 NFL Combine.

“Tae is obviously a gifted athlete. He has the elite top-end speed. He has the frame that you’d want in a returner and he showed us that he has good ball skills,” said a smiling Ghobrial when asked about using Banks as a return man. “The ability to have good catch mechanics is always number one priority for me as a returner. The second thing, when the run skill shows up and the frame shows up and the speed shows up, you’re like, okay, this guy has a chance to do it. He’s done it before in his career of just playing football.

“He showed us a lot of promise throughout training camp, through these past few weeks, and it was cool to see him get a couple explosives last week. He was fired up to do it and there’s also something to be said about a player that genuinely wants to be back there and do it. He’s well-liked by his teammates so there’s something to be said about the guys wanting to block for him as well. So, it was cool to give that guy an opportunity and cool to see him have success.”

The sum total of Banks’ return experience is one kickoff return for 19 yards at Maryland in 2022. He played some wide receiver in high school, but if he returned kickoffs there are no stats I could find that prove it.

So, how did this come about?

It happened when Banks, insistent he could catch and return kickoffs, proved it to Ghobrial by jumping into a kickoff drill and smoothly catching kickoffs off the JUGS machine. If you think that’s easy, watch NFL players who aren’t familiar with it try to catch them.

“It was probably a few months ago, our returners were catching off the JUGS machine and he kind of came up to me. He’s like, ‘You know I can do that.’ I said, ‘Don’t tempt me right there,‘” Ghobrial said. “Because obviously he has the skill set to do it and then he was back there just catching it very free and easy. I was like, okay, let’s start working with him a little bit more and that’s something obviously he had a lot of success with on Sunday.”

From the sounds of it, that won’t be the last time we see Banks in that role.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/new-yor...ants-placekicking-job-a-week-to-week-decision

 

[New York Giants]

Giants injury updates: ‘Fluid’ situation at safety for Sunday

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (illness) was held out of practice on Thursday for a second consecutive day by the New York Giants. The biggest injury issues for the Giants heading into Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints might be at safety.

Tyler Nubin, who did not practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury, was expected to “do something” at practice on Thursday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll said he was “hopeful” that Nubin would be ready for Sunday.

Dane Belton (shoulder) and Jevon Holland (neck) were limited in practice on Wednesday.

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said the situation at safety is “pretty fluid right now.”

“Getting a lot of guys reps out here right now,” Bowen said. “It’s a myriad of things with Dane, with him being banged up, with Nubin. I think it’s probably gonna be day by day for a lot of these guys. It might take until Sunday morning to figure out who is going to be up.”

Bowen pointed to reserve safety Beau Brade, practice squad safety Raheem Layne, and even practice squad cornerback/emergency safety Nic Jones as players who could factor in on Sunday.

“As a coaching staff we’ve got to have contingency plans for all that stuff,” Bowen said.

Tyrone Tracy (shoulder) also did not practice. Greg Van Roten, who had a rest day on Wednesday, returned to practice.

Thursday injury report​

Giants​

Did not practice

DL Dexter Lawrence (Illness)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Shoulder)

Limited participation

S Dane Belton (Shoulder)
DL D.J. Davidson (Foot)
DL Chauncey Golston (Ankle)
S Jevón Holland (Neck/Calf)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (Foot)
C John Michael Schmitz (Ankle)
OT Andrew Thomas (Foot/Rest)

Full participation

QB Jaxson Dart (Hamstring)
RB Cam Skattebo (Knee)
G Greg Van Roten (Not Injury Related/Rest)
QB Russell Wilson (Ankle)

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/new-yor...-updates-fluid-situation-at-safety-for-sunday

 

[New York Giants]

Andrew Thomas feeling strong after return, focused on Saints

Andrew Thomas

New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas is back on the field and feeling good.

After missing nearly all of last season due to a Lisfranc injury that required surgery, Thomas started his second straight game in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers, playing all 76 snaps. He admitted there was some “normal soreness” after the game but emphasized that his conditioning, not his health, was the bigger adjustment.

“If anything, my lungs were more tired than anything,” Thomas said. “It was a good game. We got the win, so I’ll just keep building on that.”

Thomas said he felt strong even in the second half, noting that the Giants’ up-tempo offense naturally puts added strain on the offensive line. “Being up-tempo, I think that puts stress on everybody up front,” he explained. “But we did a good job handling it. Got a lot of reps with that this week to make sure we’re ready to go.”

The Giants will need that readiness this Sunday when they visit the New Orleans Saints in what’s expected to be a hostile environment. Thomas stressed that communication will be critical for the line and quarterback Jaxson Dart.

“Communication is very important. We’ve got a lot of terms, a lot of motions, different things to get guys open,” Thomas said. “It’s important up front to get to the ball fast and make sure we’re aligned.”

Thomas praised Dart’s ability to step in and lead the offense with poise. “He’s making sure he’s communicating. He’s asking us how the communication is, things he can do to improve, and we’re all just working together to get on the same page.”

.@Giants @chargers @allforgod_55 played 100% of the snaps for the first time in almost a year….did you even notice? probably not! which is a good thing…He was nearly perfect in assignments and technique. Welcome back AT. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/j9ewU7GsTo

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 1, 2025

Looking ahead, Thomas knows the offensive line has room to grow, especially in the red zone and run game. Still, he called Sunday’s effort a step in the right direction.

“I guess you could say it’s the best because we won,” he said. “But selfishly, we’ve got to score more in the red zone, do a little bit better in the run game, and protect Jaxson better.”

This weekend, Thomas and the Giants’ front five will face a veteran Saints defensive front, led by experienced linebacker play and defensive end Cameron Jordan. Thomas said the key will be communication and execution against a group that’s been together a long time.

“They play a lot of different five-man fronts. It’s a veteran group. A lot of those guys have played a long time together,” Thomas said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re reading our keys and making our blocks.”

For Thomas, the mindset is clear: keep building on his return, stay healthy, and help the Giants keep winning.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/new-yor...feeling-strong-after-return-focused-on-saints

 

[New York Giants]

Roster moves: Giants elevate PK, LB for Sunday’s game vs. Saints

The New York Giants are elevating placekicker Jude McAtamney and linebacker Neville Hewitt from their practice squad for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

This is the second straight elevation for McAtamney, who made two short field goals and an extra point last week in place injured kicker Graham Gano, who is on IR. The Giants also have veteran placekicker Younghoe Koo on their practice squad.

This is the third and final elevation for Hewitt. The Giants will have to add him to their 53-man roster after this week if they want to have him available on game days.

The Giants are not elevating wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey from their practice squad, or signing him to the 53-man roster. In fact, the Giants still have two openings on their 53-man roster after having placed wide receiver Malik Nabers on IR and waiving edge defender Tomon Fox, who was re-signed to the practice squad.

The Giants also announced that linebacker Demetrius Flanningan-Fowles has been ruled out of Sunday’s game.

Not filling those roster spots is likely a form of cap gymnastics from GM Joe Schoen. The Giants have just $1.683 million in salary cap space, per Over The Cap. That is last in the NFL.

The Giants will have to find a way to clear some cap space to get through the remainder of the year.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/new-yor...ants-elevate-pk-lb-for-sundays-game-vs-saints

 

[New York Giants]

Giants vs. Saints, Week 5: How to watch, stream, listen, wager

The New York Giants travel to the Caesars Superdome this Sunday for a Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, airing nationally on CBS, as Brian Daboll’s squad looks to build on last week’s win and climb back into the NFC relevance.

This will be the 34th all-time meeting between the Giants and Saints, with New York holding a slight edge in the series, 17–16. The teams last met in Week 14 of the 2024 season at MetLife Stadium, while the Giants’ most recent victory in New Orleans came on Oct. 3, 2021, in a 27–21 overtime win.

Fans will be watching closely to see how Jaxson Dart performs in his second start under center and whether the Giants’ offensive line anchored by Andrew Thomas can hold up against the Saints’ veteran defensive front led by Cameron Jordan.

How to watch​

Matchup: Giants vs. Saints
Date: Sunday, Oct. 5
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, La.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Jason McCourty (analyst), AJ Ross (sideline)
Streaming: NFL+ (subscription required) | Paramount+
Odds: Giants -3.5 (-110) [line subject to change]

How to listen​

Radio: WFAN 660 AM | 101.9 FM – Bob Papa (play-by-play), Carl Banks (analyst), Howard Cross (sideline), John Schmeelk & Tiki Barber (pre- and postgame)
Pregame: Giants Gameday, 11 a.m. ET (presented by Hackensack Meridian Health)
Postgame: Giants Extra Point

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Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/new-yor...aints-week-5-how-to-watch-stream-listen-wager

 

[New York Giants]

Giants-Saints ‘Kudos & Wet Willies’: Giants give away a game they should have won

Christmas came early for the New Orleans Saints as the New York Giants gift-wrapped them their first victory of the season with five turnovers, a host of bad penalties, drops and other assorted mistakes. Let’s get to the ‘Kudos & Wet Willies,’ which I will do my best not to fumble.

Kudos to …​

Daniel Bellinger — It has been a looooong time since the Giants used Bellinger as a weapon in the passing game. Sunday, Bellinger caught four passes for 52 yards, including an 18-yarder on the opening drive that set up a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line the Giants converted into a touchdown. Bellinger also had a 14-yard catch for a first down on that drive.

It has been too long since the Giants remembered how reliable Bellinger can be when they throw him the ball.

Theo Johnson — The second-year tight end is developing a nice red zone connection with quarterback Jaxson Dart. Johnson caught touchdown passes of 1 and 15 yards on the Giants’ first two possessions. Per the CBS broadcast, it marked the first time the Giants had scored touchdowns on their two opening possessions since 2020. Johnson finished with six catches for 33 yards.

Jamie Gillan — A week after inexperienced placekicker Jude McAtamney hit a pair of kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks, which come out to the 35-yard line, Gillan was kicking off. Gillan masterfully placed kickoffs that were returned to the 18 and 9-yard lines. He did hit one for a touchbacks, but that was only brought to the 20-yard line because it bounced in the landing area. Gillan also punted twice, with both being downed inside the 20-yard line.

Darius Alexander — The rookie third-round pick continues to show flashes of development. Sunday, Alexander had a tackle for loss and a pair of quarterback pressures.

Run defense — The Giants sprung leaks in the secondary, they committed several devastating penalties, and they had a serious case of butterfingers that led to three lost fumbles and a few costly drops. Finally, though, one problem they did not have was run defense.

The Giants seemed to play Dexter Lawrence on run downs, with rookie Darius Alexander often subbing in in passing situations. Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches was also back in the lineup after missing three games with a foot injury.

The Saints gained just 88 yards on 30 rushing attempts (2.9 yards per carry), with a long run of only 11 yards.

Mike Kafka — This loss certainly was not due to the play-calling of the Giants’ offensive coordinator. Kafka used misdirection, wide receiver and tight end screens, a fourth-and-1 run by wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, mixed the run and the pass nicely, called a third-and-2 flea flicker that would have been a touchdown had it been properly executed by Dart. There isn’t much the offensive coordinator can do if his key guys are going to keep dropping the ball or throwing it the wrong colored jerseys.

Kickoff return — The Giants have found something on kickoff return as Tae Banks and Gunner Olszewski combined to average 32.0 yards on five kickoff returns.

As a cornerback, Banks continued to frustrate on Sunday. To his credit, though, Banks looks like the real deal as a kickoff returner. He had a 46-yard return right after the Skattebo fumble that was a placekicker Blake Grupe tackle away from being a touchdown that would have put the Giants back in the game. Banks averaged 37.5 yards on two kickoff returns.

With Banks next to him, the Saints kicked to Olszewski three times. He averaged 28.3 yards with a long return of 34 yards.

Wet Willies to …​

Darius Slayton — It was all downhill for the Giants after Slayton’s fumble with 1:13 left in the first half that turned a Giants’ scoring opportunity into a New Orleans field goal that gave the Saints a 16-14 lead they would never relinquish.

Slayton also couldn’t come up with a long Dart pass in the second quarter that would have put the Giants in the New Orleans’ red zone with a 14-13 lead. I’m not sure that play will officially be ruled a drop, but Slayton had both hands on it and it’s a play that needs to be made in order to win a game.

Giants defensive backs (except Jevon Holland and Cor’Dale Flott) — The early, unofficial Pro Football Focus post-game grades show Tyler Nubin, Paulson Adebo, Dru Phillips and Tae Banks as the Giants’ lowest-graded defenders. There is good reason.

• Banks committed a third-down defensive pass interference penalty that negated a Jevon Holland interception in Saints’ territory and led to a New Orleans field goal.
• Phillips gave up four receptions in four targets and committed his sixth penalty of the season, a 19-yard defensive pass interference penalty.
• Nubin was aggressive in run support, but was in coverage on a momentum-changing 87-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed on which Nubin’s lack of athleticism was badly exposed by the speedy Shaheed.

• Adebo gave up five receptions on seven targets and committed a 16-yard defensive pass interference penalty.

Jermaine Eleumunor — The veteran right tackle had a so-so day blocking, but did not help the cause by committing three penalties. Eleumunor had a holding penalty and two false starts.

Kwillies to …​

Jaxson Dart — The rookie quarterback had, to be honest, a rookie quarterback kind of day. He looked awesome the first two times the Giants had the ball, leading touchdown drives that resulted in 1 and 15-yard touchdown passes to Theo Johnson.

Then, he looked like a young quarterback with a lot to learn. He fumbled away a ball when he was untouched, failing to protect it while trying to scramble and having it slip out of his hand. He underthrew Slayton on a flea flicker that should have been a touchdown. He threw the first two interceptions of his NFL career, not that he can really be blamed for either with the Giants desperately trying to rally in the fourth quarter.

Dart was 11 of 16 for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He want 15 of 24 for 92 yards and two interceptions in the second half.

Cam Skattebo — The bruising rookie ran well, with 15 carries for 59 yards (3.9 yards per carry). He caught six passes for 45 more yards, giving him 104 total yards on the day. Still, he had a critical fumble. On the first play of the fourth quarter, with the Giants trailing by five, 19-14, and facing second-and-7 on the Saints’ 12-yard line, Skattebo lost the handle. Jordan Howden of New Orleans scooped it up, took it 86 yards for a touchdown, and the Giants were in a hopeless scramble to try and come from behind the rest of the way.

Pass rush — The Giants put a lot of pressure on New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler throughout the game. NextGen Stats said the Giants pressured Rattler on 17 of 31 dropbacks (54.8%), but did not sack the second-year quarterback a single time. Abdul Carter had six pressures on 23 rushes, per NGS, but again came out of a game without a game-changing play. He has only a half-sack in five games.

Source: https://www.bigblueview.com/kudos-w...-giants-give-away-a-game-they-should-have-won