Giants sign ex-Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo to practice squad amid Gano injury

The New York Giants signed former Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo to their practice squad on Tuesday, adding an established depth option at a position that suddenly became a concern after Graham Gano’s groin injury during pregame introductions limiting his availability for a Sunday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium.

Koo, 31, was a Pro Bowler in 2020 but had a difficult 2024 season, missing nine of his 34 field-goal attempts. Atlanta released him Friday after deciding to move forward with Parker Romo, leaving the Giants to explore veteran options as they navigate a short-week schedule and an opponent with a high-powered offense. The signing was first reported by NFL Network.

Gano injured his groin “during the defensive introductions,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said after Sunday’s loss. The 38-year-old veteran lined up for a 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and converted, but he grimaced during the representative and afterward explained he was unsure whether his range would hold up for kickoffs or longer attempts. Daboll described the injury as affecting his range and said the team would monitor Gano’s status in the buildup to the next game.

The team also had a punt-related hiccup in the same game as Jamie Gillan missed an extra-point attempt after rookie Cam Skattebo’s second-quarter touchdown tied the game at 6-6. Gano previously dealt with a hamstring issue in a different game last season, when a kickoff sprint appeared to exacerbate an existing groin problem, though the team insisted that the earlier hamstring strain did not relate to the current injury.

Given the uncertain timeline for Gano, Jude McAtamney remained on the Giants’ practice squad and would be in line to get a chance to handle kicking duties on Sunday against the Chargers if Gano cannot play. McAtamney, who spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad last year, connected on his lone field-goal attempt in his only appearance for New York in Week 9 against Washington.

The addition of Koo provides the Giants with a veteran option who has previously performed at a high level in the NFL. He will compete for a potential activation if Gano’s groin issue persists, or he could be kept as a depth piece should the Giants prefer to preserve a rotation that allows McAtamney to contribute in an emergency.

New York’s decision to add a kicker with Koo’s resume reflects a broader concern about the team’s kicking stability after the recent injury and performance issues. While Gano has been a reliable contributor over several seasons, any injury that impairs his ability to kickoff and convert on longer attempts creates a risk for a team already juggling a demanding schedule and a high-variance opponent in the Chiefs.

As the Giants turn toward an upcoming game against the Chargers, their priority remains straightforward: stabilize kicking depth, reduce the risk of a critical missed field goal or extra point, and ensure a reliable option remains available if Gano is unavailable or limited.

The situation also underscores the ongoing evaluation of special teams personnel in a league where a single missed kick can swing momentum in a close contest. For now, Koo will join a practice squad that could see quick movement if his rehabilitation from last season’s inaccuracy is reflected in the team’s practice reps and testing under game conditions.