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Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Wide receiver and returner Gunner Olszewski is signing with the New York Giants‘ practice squad, a source told ESPN.
Olszewski, 26, was an All-Pro with the New England Patriots in 2020. He was recently released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The opportunity for Olszewski to get into a game with the Giants could come quickly. They have struggled catching punts, with rookie Eric Gray muffing his third kick this season in Sunday’s 14-7 win over the Washington Commanders. New York recovered but lost a fumble later in the contest when Sterling Shepard mishandled a punt after Gray left with a calf injury.
Darius Slayton finished the game as the team’s third punter returner of the contest.
It was apparent the Giants were going to search for a solution quickly.
“I’d say we’re going to look at it here. We’re going to look at it,” coach Brian Daboll said Monday morning, before adding they had a weekly workout scheduled.
The Giants host the crosstown rival New York Jets on Sunday at the often windy MetLife Stadium.
Olszewski has averaged 12 yards per return on 75 punts in his career with the Patriots and Steelers. He has also returned 41 kickoffs for a 22.0 yard average.
But Olszewski had his struggles with ball security during his time in Pittsburgh. He fumbled his lone return for the Steelers this season when he collided with a teammate. He also lost his spot as the team’s returner with two fumbles early last season.
The Steelers cut him after he fumbled in the Week 5 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Olszewski’s best season came in 2020 when he averaged 17.3 yards per return for the Patriots. He had a 70-yard return for a touchdown that year. It earned him All-Pro honors and eventually helped him land a free agent contract with the Steelers in the 2022 offseason.
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