EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants will be without kicker Greg Joseph for their upcoming home game against the Washington Commanders due to an abdomen injury.

Joseph’s absence came as a surprise, as he was not mentioned on the injury report throughout the week, only to be ruled out on Friday. This situation has raised another significant question regarding the Giants’ special teams as they prepare to face Washington.

Graham Gano remains unavailable as he continues to recover from an injury sustained during the first kickoff of the team’s Week 2 match against the Commanders. As a result, rookie Jude McAtamney is expected to be called up from the practice squad for the game. McAtamney, a 24-year-old from Northern Ireland, previously played two seasons at Rutgers in Division I college football.

In their first matchup this season, the Giants suffered a narrow defeat to the Commanders, losing 21-18. Despite scoring three touchdowns, the team struggled with supplementary scoring and failed to convert an extra point along with two 2-point attempts while Gano was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Just before that game, Gano was added to the injury list along with another injury to his groin, yet the Giants chose not to promote McAtamney as a backup option.

Since joining the Giants, Joseph has successfully completed 13 out of 16 field goal attempts, but his absence creates challenges for the team’s special teams units. On a positive note for the Giants, running back Tyrone Tracy has been cleared to participate after completing concussion protocol, providing some boost to the team’s offensive options moving forward.