Former Derry U-20 GAA player Jude McAtamney has taken a step closer to making his NFL debut for New York Giants.

Giants starting kicker Graham Gano is set to be out for a number of weeks after aggravating a hamstring injury during their 21-18 loss to Washington Commanders on Sunday.

McAtamney, who is signed to the Giants practice squad, impressed this summer and featured in pre-season games after joining the organisation as a free agent.

As part of the International Pathway Program, he is eligible for a place on the practice squad for three seasons but was not elevated to the active roster for the weekend’s game and therefore unable to feature.

The Giants were left without a specialist kicker after Gano’s injury, with punter Jamie Gillan missing their only attempt in a game they lost despite scoring three touchdowns to the Commanders’ none.

Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Monday that they would hold an open workout this week for a new kicker before making a decision on who will play against Cleveland Browns this coming Sunday.

The 24-year-old from Swatragh played college football for Rutgers University in New Jersey for two seasons and won an Ulster underage title with Derry in 2020.