\n<\/p>\n
McAtamney took up kicking during the Covid-19 pandemic having been inspired by the news that David Shanahan from Kerry would be playing in the college game for Georgia Tech.<\/p>\n
He made sufficiently quick progress to be offered a scholarship to study at Chowan University in North Carolina in 2021, before transferring to Rutgers a year later then signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent this spring.<\/p>\n
He impressed in the Giants’ final pre-season game against the New York Jets, kicking two field goals from 23 and 43 yards, but lost out in the race for the starter’s berth Graham Gano.<\/p>\n
The Scottish-born Gano, 37, injured his hamstring in the Giants’ first meeting with the Commanders in September, but McAtamney had not yet been elevated to the active roster.<\/p>\n
Left without a kicker after the opening kick-off, the Giants lost that game 21-18 with all the Commanders’ points coming from field goals. <\/p>\n
In response, the organisation brought in free agent kicker Joseph, with the former Minnesota Viking making 13 of his 16 field goals and all six attempted points after touchdowns [PATs] since.<\/p>\n
Having been placed on injured reserve, Joseph is not able to feature in a game until the Giants host the New Orleans Saints on 8 December. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n