Ben Sauls ‘excited’ for Giants debut and chance to be NFL’s first lefty kicker in seven years

If the Giants need a field goal this week, they better call Sauls.

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.

Ben Sauls of the Pittsburgh Panthers prepares to kick a field goal during the second half of the GameAbove Sports Bowl against the Toledo Rockets at Ford Field on December 26, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images

“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.

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“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.”

While a senior at Pitt in 2024, Sauls nailed a 58-yard field goal against Cal at Acrisure Stadium, the home of the Steelers. He would be the eighth kicker used by the Giants since the start of 2023 and the fourth this season.

Tyler Nubin returned after missing Thursday’s practice for personal reasons. Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), Beaux Collins (concussion), Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (ankle) and Evan Neal (neck/hamstring) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (illness), Joshua Ezeudu (calf), Art Green (illness/hamstring) and Rico Payton (back) have been listed as questionable.

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) is out and right tackle Brian O’Neill (heel) is questionable.