Giants Claim Xavier Gipson Off Waivers After Jets Release Him Following Costly Fumble
Former Jets returner added to New York’s receiver and return rotation as Giants cope with injuries and thin linebacker depth
The New York Giants claimed wide receiver and return specialist Xavier Gipson off waivers Thursday after the Jets released him following a costly kickoff-return fumble in the season opener.
Gipson, who was with the Jets for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, is expected to be added to the Giants’ rotation as both a receiver and a returner. He fumbled a kickoff during the Jets’ 2025 season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 7, a mistake that prompted New York’s front office and coaching staff to make an immediate roster move.
Gipson’s NFL résumé includes a memorable overtime punt return touchdown in the Jets’ 2023 season opener and career return averages of about 8.9 yards per punt and 26 yards per kickoff. He has also caught 27 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown in regular-season action. The Jets’ coaching staff had highlighted a training-camp streak in which Gipson fielded 145 consecutive punts without a muff, but Jets head coach Aaron Glenn framed the decision to cut Gipson as part of an effort to enforce accountability for unforced errors.
The Giants relied on Gunner Olszewski and Wan’Dale Robinson for kickoff returns in Week 1, with Olszewski handling punts. Robinson, who had two returns for 41 yards in that game, has been the team’s second-most-targeted receiver but is currently dealing with an ankle issue that limited his practice participation earlier in the week. Robinson was upgraded to limited practice Thursday; receiver Malik Nabers, who had been listed with a back issue, returned to full participation. Wide receiver Darius Slayton was limited in practice with a groin issue.
The claim of Gipson follows a string of unexpected personnel moves between the two New York clubs this summer. The Jets signed Giants seventh-round rookie cornerback Korie Black to their practice squad on Aug. 28, a move that the Giants expected would be reversed before Black was added to the Jets’ practice unit. The Giants countered a day later by signing linebacker Zaire Barnes, who had been a former Jets draft pick, to New York’s practice squad.
Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who has been sidelined since last October after foot surgery, practiced Thursday in 11-on-11 periods wearing shell pads and is scheduled to practice again Friday before the coaching staff decides whether he will return to play. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who was absent earlier for personal reasons, returned to practice Thursday.
Linebacker depth has become a concern for the Giants. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles re-aggravated a calf injury that kept him out most of the summer, and Micah McFadden remains sidelined with a long-term foot injury. With the team down to three inside linebackers on the active roster, the recently signed Barnes is viewed as a likely candidate for a practice-squad elevation if the injuries persist.
Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches was listed as limited on the injury report Thursday with a foot issue. The Giants will monitor the health of their receivers and front-seven in the coming days as they integrate Gipson into special-teams work and offensive packages.
The team also announced fan-focused programming at the Meadowlands this season. American Dream at the Meadowlands will host a series of Legends Brunches featuring former Giants and Jets players at Marcus Live! before home games. The series begins Sept. 28 with Bart Oates and will include appearances by Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, Joe Klecko and Wayne Chrebet later in the season. Tickets, which include a full breakfast buffet and a meet-and-greet, were offered for $65.
The Giants’ acquisition of Gipson gives the team a proven return specialist and additional depth at receiver as they manage injuries and short-term roster needs. The club’s coaching staff will decide how to deploy him on offense and special teams after further work in practice and evaluations over the next several days.