New York Giants Release Kicker Jude McAtamney After Tough Loss to Broncos
In a surprising move just two days after a heart-wrenching defeat against the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants have parted ways with kicker Jude McAtamney. The decision comes after a disappointing performance in which McAtamney missed several crucial extra points, including one that could have secured a lead for the Giants in the final moments of the game.
McAtamney, a second-year kicker hailing from Northern Ireland, had been with the Giants through the NFL’s International Pathway program. He stepped up to fill the kicking role following an injury to veteran Graham Gano in Week 3. The former Rutgers standout made a promising start with two successful field goals and an extra point against the Los Angeles Chargers in his debut. However, his recent performance has raised concerns.
In the previous game against the Philadelphia Eagles, McAtamney missed an extra point, and things took a turn for the worse against the Broncos. He struggled again, missing an extra point early in the game and a pivotal one after Jaxson Dart’s rushing touchdown that temporarily put the Giants ahead 32-30 with just 37 seconds left.
The missed opportunities proved costly for the Giants. Instead of tying the game with a field goal, the Broncos capitalized on their chance and clinched a dramatic win with a 39-yard field goal as time expired. The Giants’ shock was palpable as they reflected on the fourth-quarter collapse.
McAtamney’s inability to convert field goal attempts also affected the Giants’ strategy during the game. They opted to go for two points after initially leading 19-0, but that conversion attempt failed.
With Graham Gano eligible to return from injured reserve, he is expected to kick on Tuesday to assess his readiness. Meanwhile, Younghoe Koo, a former Atlanta Falcons kicker who was released earlier this season, is currently on the Giants’ practice squad. He will compete with Gano for the starting kicking position ahead of their upcoming matchup against the Eagles.
Gano’s struggles with injuries have limited his availability, as he has missed 20 games since the start of the 2023 season. When healthy, he has been a reliable kicker, boasting an impressive 83.9% success rate on career field goal attempts.
Stay updated with Fox News Digital for the latest sports news and insights. Follow us on social media for real-time updates and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for in-depth coverage.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
