Injury crisis means Derry man Jude McAtamney could get NFL debut this weekend

AN INJURY has led to the opportunity of a lifetime for Swatragh’s Jude McAtamney.

Starting kicker for the New York Giants Graham Gano will reportedly be out for a number of weeks after injuring his hamstring last weekend.

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Gano injured himself during the opening kickoff, with punter Jamie Gillian filling in on the day as McAtamney was not active.

A former Derry Under-20 player, McAtamney won an Ulster title in 2020, before moving to the United States to play with Rutgers University.

The Derry man impressed during a pro day with the Giants and was signed as part of the International Player Pathway, which allows international players to be part of a team for up to a period of three years.

Down’s Charlie Smyth of the New Orleans Saints is in a similar position, awaiting his chance.

Now it seems that the Swatragh man has an open opportunity in New York.

This is not the first time in recent months that Gano has been injured with the Giants.

Last year, the kicker missed the end of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

In his debut with the Giants in preseason, McAtamney scored both field goal attempts, becoming the first Irish-born player for the historic New York franchise.

On Monday, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that the team will hold an open workout for the kicking position, which would include McAtamney.

Daboll said: “We’ll make a decision off of the workout.”

Daboll decided not to elevate the Derryman from the practice squad on Sunday, even when the team were aware that Gano was not fully fit.

That decision has been heavily criticised locally in New York, with the Giants eventually losing by a field goal.

Being in-house could be an advantage for McAtamney and regardless of the decision, he is expected to remain on the roster as an international player at the very least.

Th Giants are scheduled to play the Cleveland Browns at 6pm on Sunday.