Giants' Gano Out with Neck Injury; Koo to Kick vs. Bears

New York Giants veteran kicker Graham Gano is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears due to a neck injury, paving the way for practice squad player Younghoe Koo to handle field goals and extra points.

Gano, 38, reported soreness in his neck on Monday following the Giants' loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He missed practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and head coach Brian Daboll confirmed the issue stems from a herniated disc. "Gano came in the next day with a sore neck," Daboll said during a Thursday press conference. "His neck wasn't feeling good, so he went to see the trainers." Daboll added that the team is preparing Koo as the primary option, stating, "We're gonna get Koo ready to go, and if he has to be the guy, he'll be the guy." The coach indicated uncertainty about Gano's longer-term availability, saying, "Don't know. I don't think so, but I don't want to say yes and then it's no."

This marks another setback for Gano, who has battled injuries throughout his tenure with the Giants. He missed four full games and most of a fifth earlier this season with a groin strain, returning just two weeks ago. In the five games he has played, Gano has...