The New York Giants are making an addition to their special teams unit.
According to USA Today’s Art Stapleton, WR/KR Xavier Gipson has been signed to the practice squad, reuniting with the team after spending some time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Gipson started the season with the New York Jets, but was released after Week 1.
The former undrafted free agent was signed to the active roster by the Giants, then waived, to try to sneak him onto their practice squad.
However, the Philadelphia Eagles poached him, and he played in five games for Big Blue’s NFC East rival.
After a costly fumble, Gipson was once again available, and the Giants wasted little time bringing the returner back into the fold.
Xavier Gipson’s Roller Coaster 2025 Season
Gipson began his season with the New York Jets, where he had spent the first two years of his career.
He was the backup returner behind Kene Nwangwu, but after a hamstring injury forced him out, Gipson took over duties for the remainder of Week 1’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the Jets up 26-24 early in the fourth quarter, Gipson prepared for a return but was stripped, giving the ball right back to the Steelers in prime field position for the go-ahead touchdown.
New York would lose the game 34-32.
The following Monday, Gipson was released by the Jets, seemingly, for his costly mistake.
“You will not be on the field with this team if you’re going to cause us to lose games, if you’re going to cause issues like that,” Glenn told reporters on Monday following the game.
“Xavier’s a really good player — he’s going to play in this league — but I thought it was time for us to move on in another direction. So I’ll leave it at that.”
Gipson was then picked up by the New York Giants, who signed him to their 53-man roster.
After New York tried to play some roster gymnastics by sneaking the Dallas, Texas native onto their practice squad, the Philadelphia Eagles poached Gipson and made him their primary returner.
That turned out to be a mistake, though, as his fumbling problem reared its ugly head in some pivotal moments.
In Philadelphia’s Week 12 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, Gipson once again had a costly fourth-quarter fumble, granting Dallas prime field position in a tightly contested 24-24 game.
He was waived on December 7.
Now, back with the Giants, Gipson will hope to solve his ball-carrying issues.
Xavier Gipson’s Talent as a Returner
Gipson may have a fumbling problem, but the return talent is certainly there.
In his first-ever NFL game, he ran back a punt return for a touchdown to beat the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, the same night the New York Jets had lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers due to an Achilles tear.
Xavier Gipson bringing the Rookie of the Week belt back to 1 Jets Drive.
On 74 career punt returns, Gipson averages 9.1 yards per return, along with a 25.9-yard average on kick returns.
If the New York Giants can figure out a way to fix his loose hands, they may have a prime specialist on their hands.
Eagles Cut Ties With Former Jets Returner, Reunites With Giants