New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan suffered a groin injury during a Week 15 game against the New Orleans Saints but stayed in to replace kicker Randy Bullock.
Despite being hobbled, Gillan managed to continue punting and even booted a 40-yeard field goal — the second attempt and first conversation of his career.
Leading up to a Christmas Day game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Gillan improved and was able to suit up. However, in what’s become all too common for the Giants this season, it didn’t take long before the veteran suffered another injury.
On the very first punt of the game, Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey broke free for a 54-yard return. In pursuit, Gillan attempted to make a tackle and ended up drilling his knee into the Lincoln Financial Field grass.
Once again, Gillan played through injury.
“Jamie was good to go. He miss-hit that first ball — actually, what happened (was) that first return that they had, returned it all the way down to positive territory, he was going to make the tackle and he landed on his knee and that’s what’s bothering him right now,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Tuesday. “So, it was on the tackle on the returner on that first punt.”
Asked if the Giants would potentially work out some punters, Daboll was noncommittal.
“We’ll have that conversation here in about an hour,” he said.
The Giants worked out a couple of free-agent punters a week ago and it’s likely they’ll work out more or circle back to the previous ones if Gillan is unable to play in Week 17.
The 26-year-old Gillan has had a strong season and is among the leading vote-getters at his position for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.
