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Jude McAtamney has been released from the New York Giants practice squad with his place taken by German tight end Maximilian Mang.

The former Derry U20 Gaelic footballer returned to the Giants' practice squad in October after missing two extra-points in the 33-32 defeat by the Denver Broncos.

McAtamney had played four regular season games following an injury to first choice kicker Graham Gano in September.

The first of those games saw him produce a flawless performance in the 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers before the Giants suffered a defeat away to the New Orleans Saints.

On both of those occasions, McAtamney was elevated from the practice squad, but with rules stipulating he could not be brought in for a third time, he was signed to the team's full 53-man roster.

The Swatragh native made four kicks out of five as the Giants beat defending Super Bowl winners Philadelphia Eagles 34-17, but would be cut after the one-point defeat by the Broncos who scored all of their points in the fourth quarter.

With Gano continuing to battle injuries, Younghoe Koo has deputised with rookie kicker Ben Sauls added to the practice squad earlier in November.

McAtamney was eligible to retain his place on the practice squad with one spot set aside for the international player pathway, but that has now been taken by Mang.

The 25-year-old initially signed for the Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2024 following a college career with Rutgers University.

Last season, he became the first Irish-born kicker to play in a regular season game since Dublin's Neil O'Donoghue in 1985 when standing in for the injured Gano against the Washington Commanders.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase issued an apology on his Instagram on Monday after last week's suspension.

Chase was suspended for the Bengals' 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday after spitting on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey the previous week. Ramsey punched Chase twice after the incident and was ejected from the game. Video evidence revealed that Chase spat before the punch was thrown.

After the Steelers game, Chase denied spitting on Ramsey. Chase was given a one-game suspension and appealed his suspension before it was denied. Chase's suspension cost him more than Sunday's game — he was fined $14,491 and lost a game check of over $500,000.

On Monday, Chase apologized to the fans, the Bengals, the Steelers and the NFL community. He did not mention Ramsey by name in the letter.

"Please know I am speaking from my heart when I say I take full responsibility for my actions during last Sunday's game at Pittsburgh," Ramsey wrote.

"What I did was wrong. The circumstances don't matter. My passion for the game is no excuse. There's zero place in our sport — or in life —for that level of disrespect."

In Chase's first matchup this season with the Steelers in mid-October, Chase had 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown on 23 targets.

Chase also mentioned in the letter how much this season has taken a toll on him. The Bengals are 3-8 and have lost seven of their last eight games. The Bengals have also been without Joe Burrow, who has battled a turf toe injury and has not played since Week 2 of the season.

Despite the Bengals' lack of success, Chase has continued to put up impressive numbers statistically. His 79 receptions and 861 yards both rank among the top five in receiving categories despite the missed game.

The Bengals' 15th-ranked passing offense is expected to get a boost on Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Zac Taylor said Burrow is expected to play, which means Chase will be reunited with his quarterback since his college days.

Burrow fully practiced with the starters last week before not being activated before the game. The Bengals have only won one game in Burrow's absence.

The Ravens and Steelers are currently tied for the lead in the AFC North at 6-5.

Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker will attend a tryout forthe New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, the team has confirmed with The Times.

It is said to be the first tryout for the six-time Pro Bowl player since serving a 10-game suspension at the start of this season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Tucker spent the first 13 years of his career with the Ravens but was released in May after reports of multiple massage therapists accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior first surfaced in January. The 36-year-old player has denied any inappropriate behavior.

After conducting its own investigation, the NFL announced its suspension of Tucker in June, citing a violation of the league's personal conduct policy. He was eligible for reinstatement Nov. 11 but had been permitted to try out and sign with a team before that.

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A Super Bowl champion following the 2012 season, Tucker is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, having made 89% of his field goal attempts (fourth best all-time). In 2021, he connected on a 66-yard field goal that stood as an NFL record until Jacksonville's Cam Little broke it with a 68-yarder earlier this season.

In 2022, Tucker agreed to a four-year contract extension, including $17.5 million guaranteed, through the 2027 season. Last year, however, Tucker had his worst NFL season, making a career-low 73.3% of his field goal attempts. The Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop out of Arizona in April.

The Saints are auditioning kickers after third-year player Blake Grupe missed two field goal attempts Sunday during a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, bringing his total of misses this season to eight. Cade York, who previously kicked for the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders, also reportedly was slated for a tryout in New Orleans.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.