Malik Nabers: See video of NY Giants star receiver during practice
Get a closeup view of WR Malik Nabers working out at Giants practice in East Rutherford.
EAST RUTHERFORD – Xavier Gipson has a new NFL home, and he doesn’t really have to move far at all.
The former Jets wide receiver and punt returner has been claimed on waivers by the New York Giants, just one day after he was released by the Jets. The Giants made room on the active roster for Gipson by placing inside linebacker Micah McFadden on injured reserve after he sustained a foot injury in Sunday’s 21-6 season opening loss to the Washington Commanders.
It’s not a surprise that the Giants checked on Gipson given their special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial’s connection there with Gipson when he was a rookie. Ghobrial was an assistant with the Jets before joining Brian Daboll’s coaching staff last year.
Xavier Gipson: A second change with Big Blue
Gipson, 24, was released by the Jets on Wednesday after a costly fumble on a fourth quarter kickoff return that led to a Steelers’ comeback and eventual victory in the season opener. Jets coach Aaron Glenn has been preaching about accountability and Gipson wound up as a cautionary tale.
In a similar circumstance two years ago, the Giants brought Gunner Olszewski here in when his fumbles cost him a spot in Pittsburgh.
In 32 career games, Gipson has 10 career fumbles. He has returned 68 punts for 604 yards (8.9 avg.) and a touchdown in addition to 44 kickoff returns for 1,142 yards (26.0 avg.).
Also a wide receiver, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Gipson played 45 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps and finished with 21 receptions for 221 yards. He also rushed eight times for 68 yards and a touchdown, so the Giants may see more in Gipson than just his ability as a returner.
Gipson signed with the Jets as an undrafted rookie from Stephen F. Austin State.
Xavier Gipson: Where does he fit?
The Giants used Olszewski and starting wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson on kickoff returns, and the Commanders kicked away from Olszewski in Robinson’s direction. Robinson popped up on the injury report Wednesday with an ankle issue and he returned to practice as a limited participant Thursday.
It’s possible the Giants will use Gipson with Olszewski as soon as Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Giants also have wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette on their practice squad after he lost the competition with Olszewski and a spot on the active roster. So it’ll be interesting to see how this all shakes out, and whether Smith-Marsette – who flashed last season as the Giants’ kick returner – still factors in this mix.
Check back for more on this developing story.