Xavier Gipson signs with Eagles after being cut by Jets and Giants

Xavier Gipson is headed to Philadelphia after the Eagles claimed him off waivers on Monday, adding the return specialist after he was cut by the New York Jets and then the New York Giants within a 10-day span. The move came a day after Philadelphia encountered issues on kickoff returns in a win over the Rams, with Tank Bigsby struggling on two punt returns and wide receiver Darius Cooper leaving with a shoulder injury.

Gipson spent his first two seasons with the Jets after signing with them as an undrafted free agent in 2023. In 35 career games with the Jets, he had returned 68 punts and 44 kickoffs, averaging 8.9 yards on punt returns and 26.0 on kickoffs. As a wide receiver, Gipson had 27 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown.

Gipson's tenure with the Giants lasted nine days, during which he did not appear in a game. Earlier in Week 1, Gipson fumbled late in the Jets' game against the Steelers, a turnover that helped Pittsburgh erase a deficit in a 34-32 win at MetLife Stadium. Jets coach Aaron Glenn said afterward that turnovers and penalties were the decisive issues that would be addressed. Gipson was released the next day. The Eagles claimed him off waivers, announced on Monday, making him the third team this season.

The move comes as Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions, looks to bolster its return game and overall depth after the Rams game.

Gipson's career as a returner remains his calling card, but the Eagles are hoping his versatility can help them while they adjust their special-teams units and provide depth at wide receiver. With Gipson now on the roster, Philadelphia adds a player who has shown in spurts the ability to impact games with his return skills and occasional receiving contributions.

Through 35 games with the Jets, Gipson had returned 68 punts and 44 kickoffs, averaging 8.9 yards on punt returns and 26.0 on kickoffs. As a wide receiver, he had 27 receptions for 268 yards and a touchdown.

The move also marks Gipson's third NFL team this season, underscoring the high-turnover nature of rosters around the league as teams adjust to injuries, performance questions, and the ongoing season schedule.