One team's trash is another team's... waiver pickup. Ahead of the New York Giants' Week 2 matchup vs the Dallas Cowboys, Big Blue has made a roster move.
The G-Men have officially signed former Jets wide receiver/kick returner Xavier Gipson after placing Micah McFadden on injured reserve, who suffered a foot injury against the Washington Commanders in Week 1. The 25-year-old linebacker needed assistance from the cart and was immediately put in an aircast and sent to get further testing. At first, early diagnosis revealed nothing major. However, fans now know he'll be out for at least the next four games.
It's next man up, but not literally. Signing Gipson is an interesting countermove to McFadden's injury. The team has Bobby Okereke, Darius Muasau, and Chris Board as their remaining LBs, so it's fair game to question signing a 24-year-old former undrafted free agent who couldn't cut it with the J-E-T-S? And why now? There's no denying this move feels out of place.
Giants claim former Jets WR/KR Xavier Gipson off waivers after sending Micah McFadden to IR
Gipson was a star at Stephen F. Austin State. He was a second-team all-conference receiver and third-team all-conference kick returner in 2019. He totaled 243 receptions for 4,305 yards and 37 touchdowns across 44 games, along with four return touchdowns.
He's not likely going to see much playing time as a receiver with Big Blue. He'll be the seventh guy on the depth chart. Additionally, he likely won't see much time as a returner, either.
The G-Men already have Gunner Olszewski on the team, who serves as WR6 and primary kick returner. So what gives? Olszewski has had his own roller coaster of an offseason.
After spending 2024 on IR with a groin injury suffered Week 1, he wasn't retained in the early waves of free agency. Then, Bryce Ford-Wheaton suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, which brought Gunner back the next day. When roster cut day arrived, New York released him but picked him back up to put on their practice squad. And then the team signed Beau Brade and Rico Payton, whom they put on IR, which inevitably opened up a roster spot for none other than Olszewski himself.
If that sounds like a lot, it's because it is. And so the real question becomes: Is he going to be moved again?
The Gipson signing looks like a return-centric move. With five legitimate receivers (and one Gunner) ahead of him on the depth chart, it's likely this is all about shoring up the special teams. It's ironic because his lack of special teams consistency is what got him released from the Jets, but maybe a change of scenery will restore that SF Austin grit.
It's interesting the Giants chose to replace McFadden with a return specialist. Fans will see if more's in play over the next day or two.