New York Giants’ Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan close to returning

The New York Giants have been without kicker Graham Gano since he suffered a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff in a Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Since then, they’ve used both Greg Joseph, who is now on injured reserve (IR) with an abdomen issue, and the Irish-born Jude McAtamney.

But that hasn’t been the only hit on special teams.

The Giants have also been without punter Jamie Gillan since Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks after he suffered a hamstring injury. Although he wasn’t placed on IR, the team has ruled him out in four consecutive games.

Matt Haack has served as Gillan’s replacement.

While Joseph, McAtamney, and Haack have played admirably, the Giants could be getting both Gano and Gillan back as early as this week.

“I still have to meet with our medical guys, but I think Graham is getting close. How close he is right now, I think we’ll know here in the next couple days,” head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday.

“I think that (Gillan) progressed well. We’ll see here (on Tuesday) or Wednesday where he’s at. I think he has a chance.”

The Giants are off on Tuesday but will conduct practices on both Wednesday and Thursday before flying to Germany on Thursday night. They will hold a final practice on Friday and then release their injury report. If both players travel, it’s a good indication they will be active.

Gillan will receive a designation on Friday but Gano would have to be activated from IR first.