EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Two years ago, Graham Gano kicked the longest field by an opponent in Giants history.
Now he might have an opportunity to set records for them.
The Giants today announced they have signed the free agent kicker, who last played in a regular-season game on Dec. 2, 2018, his seventh season with the Carolina Panthers. He missed the final four games of that year and the entire 2019 season because of injuries to his left (plant) leg. Gano was released by the Panthers on July 30.
The second transaction revealed by the Giants was not as pleasant. Wide receiver Cody Core, who led the Giants with eight special teams tackles in 2019, was placed on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles tendon running a route during an 11-on-11 drill late in practice yesterday. He is the first Giants player to go on I.R. this year.
The 33-year-old Gano played for Giants general manager Dave Gettleman when the latter held the same position in Carolina from 2013-17.
View photos from the career of kicker Graham Gano.
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates after kicking a field goal against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers' Graham Gano kicks a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) runs onto the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Graham Gano (9) kicks against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football training camp in Spartanburg, S.C., Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) runs onto the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks the ball on a kickoff during a week 10 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 52-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a first quarter extra point good for a 7-0 Panthers lead during the NFL week 10 regular season football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won the game 52-21. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks the ball on a kickoff during a week 10 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 52-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) runs onto the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates after hitting a field goal during a NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) practices kicking as Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) holds the ball before the start of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Washington kicker Graham Gano (4) kicks a second quarter field goal that cuts the San Francisco 49ers lead to 13-3 during the NFL week 9 football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 6, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The 49ers won the game 19-11. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates kicking a field goal with punter Michael Palardy (5) during an NFL preseason game against the New England Patriots, Friday, Aug. 24th, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Graham Gano (9) celebrates after making a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano, right, celebrates with Michael Palardy, second from right, after kicking a field goal against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Panthers won 35-27. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano celebrates making a field goal during the second half of a pre season NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) and kicker Graham Gano celebrate an extra point during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates kicking a field goal against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers place kicker Graham Gano (9) and punter Michael Palardy (5) celebrate after kick during a week 5 NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Detroit. Carolina won 27-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) and punter Brad Nortman (8) celebrate during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks won 13-9. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
Carolina Panthers punter Brad Nortman (8) and kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrate the game-winning field goal in overtime during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Michael Palardy (5) celebrates a field goal kicked by teammate Graham Gano (9) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. The Eagles won 28-23. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano, right, celebrates his game-winning field goal with holder Michael Palardy (5) at the end of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Panthers won 33-30. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) and Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) after a field goal during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 in Charlotte, N.C. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott (79), kicker Graham Gano (9) and punter Brad Nortman (8) celebrate the game-winning field goal in overtime during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) reacts after hitting a field goal during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott (79), kicker Graham Gano (9), punter Brad Nortman (8) and quarterback Derek Anderson (3) celebrate the game-winning field goal in overtime during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates making a field goal with Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) and Carolina Panthers tight end Chris Manhertz (82) during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 in Charlotte, N.C. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates his field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott (79), kicker Graham Gano (9) and punter Brad Nortman (8) celebrate the game-winning field goal in overtime during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Washington place kicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates after kicking a 48-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates with Carolina Panthers center Gino Gradkowski (66) in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sep. 17th, 2016 in Charlotte,NC. The Carolina Panthers won 46-27. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates after kicking a 35-yard field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington place kicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in the overtime period of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. Washington won 20-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Washington's Graham Gano (4) celebrates his game-wining field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Washington won 16-13. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Washington place kicker Graham Gano (4) kicks a field goal in the first half of an NFL football game against Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Washington place kicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates after kicking a 31-yard field goal as Jacksonville Jaguars' Russell Allen (50) walks off the field at the end of overtime in an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. Washington won 20-17 in overtime.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Washington place kicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates as Washington and Tennessee Titans players watch his 48-yard field goal go though the goalposts in overtime to give Washington a 19-16 win in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)
Washington place kicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates as Tennessee Titans defenders Cortland Finnegan, bottom left, and Jason Babin, bottom right, look on from the ground as Gano's 48-yard field goal in overtime gives Washington a 19-16 win in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Washington placekicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates after kicking an extra point against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Washington holder Hunter Smith (17) looks on. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)
Washington placekicker Graham Gano (4) celebrates with holder Hunter Smith (17) after booting a 48-yard field goal in overtime to give Washington a 19-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Washington long snapper Nick Sundberg (57) reacts. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)
Gano has had a distinguished career. He kicked 236 regular-season and postseason field goals for Washington and Carolina from 2009-18, the longest a 63-yarder with one second remaining to give the Panthers a 33-31 victory against the Giants on Oct. 7, 2018 in Charlotte. It is two yards longer than any other field goal ever kicked against the Giants (61 yards by Philadelphia's Jake Elliott on Sept. 24, 2017). In addition, it is one of six kicks tied for the second-longest field goal in NFL history, it was the longest game-winning field-goal in league history and was the longest field goal in Panthers history. The only longer field goal was kicked by Denver's Matt Prater vs. Tennessee in Week 14 of the 2013 season (64 yards).
It wasn't the first time Gano had broken Giants hearts. On Dec. 20, 2015, his 43-yard field goal as time expired gave the Panthers a 38-35 victory in MetLife Stadium.
Gano has played in 134 regular-season and seven postseason games and has made 224 of 273 field goal attempts (82.1%) and 306 of 321 extra point tries (95.3%) in the regular season and 12 of 15 field goal attempts (80.0%) and all 18 PATs in the playoffs. He has scored 978 regular-season points and exceeded 100 points in each of the seven seasons in which he played all 16 games.
Gano has made 20 of 25 career attempts (57.1%) from 50+ yards.
He has touchbacks on 64.3% of his regular-season kickoffs (437 of 680).
Gano was a 2017 Pro Bowler, a two-time NFC Special Teams Player of the Month and two-time conference Player of the Week.
In 2015, Gano scored a career-high 146 points and helped the Panthers finish 15-1 and advance to Super Bowl 50. That season, he made 30 of 36 field goal attempts and a career-high 56 extra points (on 59 tries). In three postseason games, he hit four of five field goal attempts and was 10-for-10 on PATs.
Two years later, Gano was successful on a career-high 96.7% of his field goal attempts (29 of 30) and 34 of 37 extra points to score 121 points for the second year in a row and the third time in four seasons.
Gano originally entered the NFL in 2009 as an undrafted rookie with the Baltimore Ravens, from Florida State. He was waived at the end of training camp and was signed by Washington on Dec. 8, 2009. Five days later, he kicked two field goals, including a 46-yarder, in his NFL debut at Oakland. The following week, he missed his only kick – an extra point attempt – in his first game against the Giants.
In his first full season in 2010, Gano scored exactly 100 points by kicking 24 field goals and 28 extra points.
Gano was waived by Washington on Aug. 28, 2012 and joined the Panthers on Nov. 21 that year. He played in the final six games before beginning a five-plus year run in which he played in every game before injuring his leg in 2018.
Gano, like former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes, was born in Scotland.
Core was awarded off waivers to the Giants on Sept. 1, 2019, one day after he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played in all 16 games last season, contributing his team-high eight special teams tackles (six solo) and catching three passes for 28 yards, all against Buffalo on Sept. 15.
Core entered the NFL as Cincinnati's sixth-round draft choice in 2016 out of Ole Miss. He has played in 51 regular-season games with seven starts. His career totals include 33 receptions for 388 yards (11.8-yard avg.) and one touchdown, plus 16 special teams tackles.
View photos of the Giants' active roster as it currently stands.
OT Jackson Barton
WR C.J. Board
CB James Bradberry
LB Cam Brown
LB TJ Brunson
DB Adrian Colbert
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Tae Crowder
P Riley Dixon
LB Devante Downs
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
DB Nate Ebner
TE Evan Engram
LB Kyler Fackrell
OT Cameron Fleming
RB Wayne Gallman
K Graham Gano
G Nick Gates
DB Madre Harper
G Will Hernandez
DL B.J. Hill
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
DB Darnay Holmes
DT Austin Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DE Niko Lalos
DL Dexter Lawrence
G Shane Lemieux
RB Dion Lewis
CB Julian Love
WR Austin Mack
LB Blake Martinez
LB David Mayo
QB Colt McCoy
DL R.J. McIntosh
(Scott Boehm via AP)
DB Xavier McKinney
RB Alfred Morris
OL Kyle Murphy
OT Matt Peart
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Dante Pettis
C Spencer Pulley
DB Logan Ryan
DE Jabaal Sheard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Darius Slayton
(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
TE Kaden Smith
WR Golden Tate III
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Levine Toilolo
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
DL Leonard Williams
CB Isaac Yiadom
G Kevin Zeitler
Giants App
Download the Giants' official app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
