Ben Sauls excited for Giants debut and chance to be NFLs first lefty kicker in seven years

If the Giants need a field goal this week, they better call Sauls.Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.

Rookie kicker Ben Sauls is slated to make his NFL debut Sunday against Minnesota, becoming the latest player to take over those duties this season following the release earlier this week of veteran Younghoe Koo.The 24-year-old Sauls, who played collegiately at Pitt, was signed to the practice squad on Nov.11.

He will become the first left-footed kicker to appear in an NFL game since Sebastian Janikowski for the Seahawks in 2018.“I’m proud to represent the lefties,” Sauls told The Post.“When I first got here, I got to kick in [MetLife] Stadium a little bit, and then this week on Wednesday we went over and got some reps and got to read it out a little bit.“Wednesday was pretty similar to how the weather’s supposed to be on Sunday, so it was good to get a read and get a feel.”Sauls noted that MetLife “definitely has a reputation” for being tough on kickers, but he added, “it’s really put into words how exciting it is,” to be making his debut.“Especially right now, you have to keep it calm and collected, because that excitement is going to come out on game day,” Sauls said.

“But this being my first year and having the opportunity to actually be elevated to play on a Sunday, that’s the goal when you’re in college.“Five years go by and you graduate and to get picked up, I consider myself extremely lucky, because I know what the job is and there’s only 32 of them, and I’m just pumped.I want to do my best and show people what I do.” Sign up for Inside the Giants by Paul Schwartz, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.

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Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! While a senior at Pitt in 2024, Sauls nailed a 58-yard fi...