Big Blue View
The New York Giants have placed linebacker Micah McFadden on the injured reserve. McFadden suffered a foot injury against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but the injury (reportedly) isn’t season-ending.
The Giants also claimed former New York Jets wide receiver and returner Xavier Gipson, per a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, in a corresponding roster move.
The Jets cut Gipson on Wednesday after he fumbled a kick-off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. That fumble allowed the Pittsburgh Steelers to score two touchdowns in 50 seconds en route to their win.
They originally signed Gipson, 24, as an undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin after the 2023 NFL Draft. He has experience as a wide receiver, starting three games for the Jets as a rookie. He caught 21 passes on 38 targets that year for 229 yards, 109 of which came after the catch.
He was primarily a return man in 2023 and 2024, with 68 punt returns and 44 kick returns over that period. He averaged 8.9 yards per punt return and 26.0 yards per kick return – though he averaged 28.6 yards per kick return the last two years. Gipson led the league in punt returns in 2024 and had a 65-yard return for a touchdown in 2023.
The Giants seem to be collecting returners, with Gunner Olszewski on the roster, Imhir Smith-Marsette on the practice squad, as well as using Wan’Dale Robinson on kick returns.
It’s possible that the Giants are doubling down on depth at returner to protect themselves, and to keep from having to use Robinson after the ankle injury he suffered in Week 1. They could also be looking at more options for catch-and-run concepts in light of their issues pass protection.
