Not even one of the Giants’ most reliable players was immune from their opening-week disaster.
Even kicker Graham Gano had a rare off night.
He missed both of his field-goal attempts in the 40-0 defeat, and his first, in the opening quarter, was blocked and returned for a touchdown.
He also got cleated in the right calf on the return after the blocked kick, although he said he’s “good to go” for Week 2 on Sunday at Arizona.
“I don’t put too much weight on the miss. I see things that I need to correct myself, but I couldn’t point my foot going into it,” Gano said Friday of his second-quarter miss to the left on a 36-yard attempt. “It’s frustrating, but I can’t dwell on it too much. You just kind of move on.
“I’ve started a season with a miss before and then hit 37 in a row after that. It doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. As a professional, I want to make them all.”
Gano, who had converted 89 of 97 field-goal attempts over his first three seasons with the Giants, was rewarded last week with a three-year contract extension worth $16.5 million beginning in 2024.
“It’s something we’d been working on for a while. It’s exciting,” Gano said. “I look at contracts as being rewarded for something you’ve done in the past.
“I try to show up every day and be the same guy and work hard and take care of my body and trust the guys around me.”
Three players appeared on the injury report Friday for the Giants: linebacker Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson are listed as doubtful, and tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) is questionable.
Tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) again was listed as a limited participant in practice, but head coach Brian Daboll said Waller “is in a good spot.” Waller had said Thursday that he’s “playing” against the Cardinals.
Safety Budda Baker (hamstring) is questionable for the Cardinals.