EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

In a surprising twist, the New York Giants have signed kicker Greg Joseph from the Detroit Lions' practice squad, while veteran kicker Graham Gano has been placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. This strategic move comes as the Giants look to regain their footing after a tough 21-18 defeat against Washington on Sunday.

Gano’s absence was keenly felt during the game; his injury played a pivotal role in the loss. The Giants' punter, Jamie Gillan, missed an extra point following the team’s first touchdown, and in a surprising turn of events, the Giants unsuccessfully attempted two conversions on their subsequent touchdowns. Remarkably, they did not attempt a single field goal throughout the game, a feat that placed them among just two teams in NFL history to score three touchdowns and still lose to a team that didn’t score a single touchdown. Instead, Washington found success with seven field goals, capitalizing on the Giants' misfortunes.

The veteran kicker Gano was injured during the opening kickoff. At 37, he was already dealing with a groin issue before sustaining a hamstring injury while pursuing Austin Ekeler, who returned the kickoff prior to a penalty call.

The Giants have high hopes for Joseph, a seasoned kicker with a seven-year career. Prior to this, he made a name for himself over the last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he set the NFL record for game-winning kicks within a single season—five, to be precise. Additionally, he holds the record for the longest field goal in Minnesota Vikings history at an impressive 61 yards, a kick that secured a thrilling 27-24 victory against the Giants late last season.

As the Giants navigate through this challenging stretch, fans are eager to see if Joseph can step in and deliver the consistency needed to turn their season around. Will this new acquisition reignite the Giants' hopes, or are they destined for another uphill battle? Stay tuned!