Dominic Zvada’s job as New York Giants placekicker is safe, for the time being.
After Zvada, an undrafted rookie, missed kicks of 56 and 44 yards in Sunday’s victory over the Houston Texans, making him just 4 of 9 on field-goal attempts in the last three games, many thought the Giants would at least hold a kicker workout during their bye week to assess their options.
“We’re not going to be doing that right now, no,” head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday.
Zvada won the job from Ben Sauls with an excellent
spring and summer. He went 9 of 9 over the first three games of the season, but went just 2 of 5 in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders and missed both of his field-goal tries vs. the Texans. Harbaugh passed on a 55-yard kick in the third quarter on Sunday after those two misses, punting instead.
Harbaugh expressed confidence in Zvada immediately after Sunday’s game.
“I think he has to go ahead and pound that thing through straight,” Harbaugh said. “I think he’s doing what a lot of rookies do — just trying to get it through the uprights. I’m not really worried about Zvada. He just has to do it, but I’m totally confident he will because I know how good he is and know what a good head he has.”
Zvada knows he has to be better.
“I just pushed it,” Zvada said. “It’s unacceptable. Luckily … I’m surrounded by teammates who really support me and keep me ready for the next one. For us to win, that’s great. I’m going to do my thing during the bye to make sure I’m right for when we go to [play] Philly.”
Zane Gonzalez (Miami Dolphins), and Jake Moody (Baltimore Ravens) are the only two veteran kickers currently on practice squads. Free agent kickers include 35-year-old Brandon McManus, and 42-year-old Matt Prater. Sauls has not had any reported tryouts since being waived by the Giants with an injury settlement. His injury, and the severity of it, is unknown.
