Giants claim Xavier Gipson off waivers after costly Jets fumble
Xavier Gipson is the latest player to trade places in this summer of unexpected Jets-Giants swaps.
Released by the Jets after a costly kickoff return fumble in the season-opener, Gipson was claimed off waivers Thursday by the Giants and will be added to the receiver and returner rotations.
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The Giants used Gunner Olszewski and Wan’Dale Robinson as their kickoff returners in Week 1, and Robinson had his first two career returns for 41 yards as the Commanders avoided the dangerous Olszewski.
But Robinson, who is the Giants’ second-most-targeted receiver, wound up on the injury list (ankle) so the extra responsibility might be causing more harm than good.
Enter Gipson, who famously returned a punt for a walk-off overtime touchdown for the Jets in the 2023 season-opener when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. He has averaged 8.9 yards per punt return and 26 yards per kick return over his career, with an additional 27 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown on offense.
Olszewski doubles as the punt returner.
Gipson had a streak of 145 straight punt catches without a muff during training camp, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said after setting the initial 53-man roster. But Glenn is establishing a culture of repercussions for unforced errors, and Gipson became the poster child when he was released.
The Jets signed Giants’ rookie seventh-round pick cornerback Korie Black to their practice squad on Aug. 28, when the Giants were expecting him to return to theirs after he was released from the 53-man roster. One day later, the angry Giants signed linebacker Zaire Barnes, a former Jets draft pick, to their practice squad.
LT Andrew Thomas (foot) practiced Thursday in 11-on-11 periods but the Giants were in shell pads. He is scheduled to practice again Friday before a decision is made on whether he will play for the first time since undergoing surgery last October.
Robinson (ankle) and WR Malik Nabers (back) were on the practice field Thursday after they were out and limited, respectively, on Wednesday. Robinson was upgraded to limited and Nabers was upgraded to full participation.
It was not all good news for the receiver room: Darius Slayton (groin) was limited.
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot) was added to the injury report as limited.
DT Dexter Lawrence returned to practice as the father of a newborn.
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles re-aggravated the calf injury that sidelined him most of the summer. Combined with Micah McFadden’s long-term foot injury, the Giants are down to three inside linebackers, which makes Barnes a likely practice-squad call-up.
American Dream at the Meadowlands will host Legends Brunches featuring former Giants and Jets greats at Marcus Live! before home games this season.
The series kicks off Sept. 28 with Bart Oates and includes Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, Joe Klecko and Wayne Chrebet later in the season. Fans receive a full breakfast buffet and a meet-and-greet for $65.
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