The New York Giants have struggled on special teams all year. Between injuries, inconsistencies, and the occasional coaching gaffe, a team that must win along the margins has fallen behind on the game's third facet.

Some of that is coaching and talent, but it would be unfair not to attribute much of New York's results to misfortune.

That began when kicker Graham Gano got hurt on the first play of Week 2. Ahead of Week 10, the Giants' news on the injury front is promising.

On Wednesday, the team announced that Gano was designated to return from injured reserve. That gives him three weeks to be activated on game day, but head coach Brian Daboll expressed optimism that he'll play on Sunday.

According to Art Stapleton, Daboll was also optimistic about punter Jamie Gillan returning to action in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers.

However, New York isn't planning on making any game-defining gaffes in roster management. The practice squad joining the team in Munich means kicker Jude McAtamney and punter Matt Haack (who was released but reassigned to the practice squad) will be on hand if the Giants need reinforcements.

McAtamney played well in Week 9, hitting his lone field goal from 31 yards and converting an extra point. It was an encouraging debut for the team's first Irish-born player, but New York will gladly let him marinate as a developmental project if Gano gets the green light.

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It may be quiet, but this improvement shouldn't be understated, both in the kicking and punting game. The Giants rank 31st in FTN's defense-adjusted value over average on special teams. For a team that's lost four in a row, making up ground without seismic improvements to the offense or defense is possible. It's also necessary if this team is going to win the game's it is supposed to.

New York will know more about the fate of its special teams later in the week, but things are promising ahead of the flight to Munich.