New York Giants kicker Graham Gano doesn’t understand all the negativity around coach Brian Daboll’s decision to not activate an extra kicker Sunday.

Head coach Brian Daboll trusting that Graham Gano would be good to go left the New York Giants without a healthy placekicker in what became a frustrating 21-18 loss at the Washington Commanders in Week 2.

The benefit of the doubt from this regime's Year 1 success has faded. Daboll needs to figure out how to pull the team out of this spiral.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll fielded a number of questions about the team's handling of the kicker position at a press conference after Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Commanders.

Gano was placed on the Giants’ injury report on Saturday with a groin issue. The Giants have rookie Jude McAtamney on their practice squad, but chose not to elevate him to the 53-man roster for the game against Washington.

For some reason (either by design or because Gano’s leg wasn’t strong enough), the Giants kicked off to the 2-yard line, instead of blasting the ball through for a touchback. That created the possibility for a long return, which is what happened.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll defended the decision not to activate a reserve kicker after Graham Gano sustained a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff in New York’s 21-18 loss to the Commanders.

The Giants didn’t have a kicking alternative and managed only 18 points on three touchdowns after Graham Gano’s injury on the opening kickoff of Sunday’s loss to the Commanders.

The New York Giants’ 2024-25 regular season is not off to the start they hoped for. The Giants are 0-2 after being blown out in Week 1 and losing in the final seconds to their division rivals in Week 2.