Update on the Potential Benching of Lions QB Jared Goff

Detroit Lions veteran kicker Greg Joseph is heading to the New York Giants after the Giants’ loss in Week 2, where they fell 21-18. The game brought attention to the Giants’ decision not to call up kicker Jude McAtamney from the practice squad, even though starting kicker Graham Gano hurt his groin in practice and later injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff.

This mistake proved costly for the Giants, and now, in response, they are signing Joseph off the Lions’ practice squad, according to his agent.

Detroit Lions’ Greg Joseph to the New York Giants

Joseph’s agent, Brett Tessler, took to social media platform X to announce, “The New York Giants are signing my client Greg Joseph to their active roster from the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. A 7-year veteran, Joseph kicked for the Vikings the past three seasons, holds the NFL record for most game-winning field goals in a season (5), the Vikings’ record for the longest field goal (61 yards), and led the NFL in touchback percentage in 2021.”

NFL analyst Dan Duggan of The Athletic added, “Joseph made 82% of his field goals during his time with the Vikings. By signing him from a practice squad, the Giants guarantee his salary for at least three weeks. This also signals that Gano is likely out for a while and could be heading to injured reserve, although the Giants had an open roster spot, so this move didn’t require that.”

Joseph has an extensive NFL history beyond his brief stint with Detroit. He spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and holds the league record for the most game-winning kicks in a single season with five. His previous teams also include the Browns, Titans, and Buccaneers, with whom he won a Super Bowl in 2020.

Greg Joseph Likely to Start for the New York Giants

Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit explained that the Lions initially signed Joseph to their practice squad as backup for their starting kicker, Jake Bates. “Bates wasn’t in danger of losing his job—he’s made all eight of his kicks in two weeks—but Lions GM Brad Holmes had mentioned wanting to add a veteran kicker at the end of training camp,” Reisman said in a September 17 article.

Reisman also mentioned that Joseph will likely step in as the Giants’ starter with Gano out. The move leaves a vacancy on the Lions’ practice squad, and while it’s unclear if Detroit plans to fill that spot with another kicker, moves like this typically happen by midweek before practice begins.