There is no guarantee that Graham Gano won’t morph into Graham Oh-No again.
The Giants listed Gano (groin) as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles, which is giving fans flashbacks to three losses over the past three seasons that were impacted by Gano trying to kick through a preexisting injury and the Giants not having a contingency plan in place.
The 38-year-old former Pro Bowler declared after Friday’s practice that he feels “great” and is ready to go.
So, how does he assuage concerns that his return from a four-game absence could lead to a fourth misjudgment?
“I don’t,” Gano said. “I’m going to play football.”
Head coach Brian Daboll left open the possibility that the Giants could activate Gano off of injured reserve and still elevate Younghoe Koo from the practice squad as insurance.
It is rare to use a roster spot on a second kicker that could be used for a backup more likely to get on the field, but the Giants could save themselves potential embarrassment and second-guessing by having a contingency in place.
“If we need to do it, we’ll do it,” Daboll said. “If Graham is good to go and feels comfortable, and the medical staff feels comfortable with it, then we won’t.”
The Giants have until 4 p.m. Saturday to decide if Gano — who is 6-for-6 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs — can be trusted without insurance.
Jude McAtamney missed three PATs in the past two games, including one with 37 seconds remaining that allowed the Broncos to win 33-32 on a walk-off field goal.
Whether Gano, another kicker or punter Jamie Gillan “is up to coach,” Gano said.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, who said “F–k them Eagles” during a postgame appearance on “Speakeasy” after the Giants beat the Eagles on Oct. 9, said he is “not worried” that he provided bulletin-board material.
“I don’t think I did,” Thibodeaux told The Post. “Just gotta go play.”
CB Paulson Adebo (knee) and DL Chauncey Golston (neck) will not play. Safety Jevón Holland (knee) is doubtful.
In addition to Gano, OLB Brian Burns (hip) and DT D.J. Davidson (ankle) are questionable.
WR A.J. Brown (hamstring) is out for the Eagles, along with center Cam Jurgens (knee) and two former Giants, CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion) and OLB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring).
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
