Giants' final Week 8 injury report almost guarantees major coaching failure

Oh no. Here we go again. It’s almost like the universe is daring the New York Giants to mess this up for the third time — you can’t make this stuff up.

Big Blue heads to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in an effort to sweep the Birds for the first time since 2007. The Giants won the Week 6 matchup 34-17 on the back of rookie quarterback sensation Jaxson Dart. However, it’s the status of kicker Graham Gano that should catch the attention of fans.

The G-Men have officially opened the 21-day practice window for Gano ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 16-year vet has been on IR battling a groin injury. Interestingly enough, Big Blue’s kicking woes over the past few years all involve Gano’s lack of availability.

Related: Giants might’ve just hilariously exposed what’s behind the kicking mess

There was his attempt to play injured against the New York Jets in 2023, where he missed two field goals in a 13-10 overtime loss. Then there was the groin injury he suffered on the opening kickoff against the Washington Commanders in 2024 — they had Jamie Gillan attempt (and miss) one extra point before they switched to only going for two, which they failed both times, losing 21-18. So, looking at Week 8’s report is essentially a nightmare.

Giants’ final Week 8 injury report screams obvious fix coaches still won’t make

Here is Friday's final injury report ahead of their Week 8 showdown in Philly:

Out:

• CB Paulson Adebo (Knee)
• DL Chauncey Golston (Neck)

Doubtful:

• SAF Jevón Holland (Knee)

Questionable:

• OLB Brian Burns (Hip)
• DL D.J. Davidson (Ankle)
• K Graham Gano (Groin)

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is bound to have a rough go on Sunday. Without Adebo for sure and likely Holland, the secondary will rely on Deonte Banks and Dane Belton, respectively. Burns being questionable isn’t great, but he did say he’d be good earlier in the week.

But that's not the walking red flag.

The Giants have an opportunity to right a wrong before kicking woes inevitably crush Giants fans’ souls Sunday afternoon. If head coach Brian Daboll has learned anything over the past couple of seasons, it’s that they should keep Gano on ice and roll with someone else. It’s literally the same issue they’ve bundled now twice before.

Gano might have told the media that he’s good to go for the game, but the groin issues are real. They’ve been the culprit of the two previous kicking collapses, all but begging Dabs to sit him for the week to ensure they have a reliable kicker, because… for obvious reasons.

One option would be to elevate veteran Younghoe Koo off the practice squad. Koo was seen practicing on Friday, potentially getting ready for his Big Blue debut (if this regime has learned literally anything from the past times this exact situation has happened):

It hasn’t been a week since the team cut interim kicker Jude McAtamney after missing three PATs in two weeks. They did sign him back to the practice squad, but you get it. How many special teams collapses need to happen before the brass takes notice? It’s ridiculous.

The smart move would be to elevate Koo, sit Gano for the week while he gets back into the swing of things, and not put them in a compromising position to lose a winnable game via kicking woes. Otherwise, it’s all but guaranteed that’s what’s on the way for fans in Philly.