New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) watches from the sidelines in the second half against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Could Giants P Jamie Gillan miss Ravens game over passport issues?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/11/22

New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan was nearly unavailable for this Sunday's home game against the 3-2 Baltimore Ravens for unique reasons.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo initially reported Tuesday that Gillan, born in Scotland, has not yet returned from the team's trip to London due to unspecified "passport issues." The 25-year-old affectionately known as "The Scottish Hammer" had planned to fly back to the United States on Thursday, but the Giants intended to work punters out on at least Wednesday as a precaution.

Garafolo added the Giants and Gillan understood before the Week 5 win over the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London this past Sunday that such issues could arise:

The #Giants and Gillan knew about the potential passport issues for the return flight in advance of the trip. They’re expecting him back in advance of Sunday’s game against the #Ravens.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 11, 2022

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero later offered an update on the situation and suggested Gillan will be at MetLife Stadium for the Week 6 matchup versus Baltimore:

Gillan came to the U.S. on a NATO visa with his father, and that designation never got changed to a work visa when he entered the NFL. Not Gillan’s fault – just slipped through the cracks. With help from U.S. diplomats, Gillan now has a new passport and is headed home soon. https://t.co/VrMol47fGv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2022

Gillan booted a pair of punts in New York's 27-22 victory over Green Bay that improved Big Blue to 4-1 on the season. Per ESPN stats, he is currently fourth in the NFL with a gross average of 51.0 yards per punt and tied for 17th with six punts inside the opposing 20-yard line.

Previously, Gillan kicked for the Cleveland Browns from the 2019 campaign until he was released in December 2021. As Dan Benton noted for Giants Wire/USA Today, Gillan served as an emergency placekicker this past August when first-choice option Graham Gano was temporarily sidelined during the preseason.

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