Gunner

Olszewski

Olszewski, 29, now faces a lengthy and rigorous recovery. His return timeline is currently unknown. Olszewski functioned as the Giants’ primary kick and punt returner last year. He signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract this offseason, with $300,000 in guarantees. Olszewski is the third Giants player to rupture an Achilles tendon in spring workouts this year.

Olszewski was coming off the line, running a route, when he fell to the ground and “appeared to grab at his right lower leg,” immediately showing “significant frustration.” Olszewski’s teammates were reportedly upset by what they saw. This sounds like it might be an Achilles injury. Hopefully, it’s not. Olszewski earned first-team All-Pro honors while leading the league in punt return yards in 2020. Losing him to a significant injury would hurt the Giants’ special teams unit.

Olszewski primarily plays special teams, though he sometimes contributes offensively. He notably caught 8-of-9 targets for 103 yards in the Giants’ Week 18 win over the Cowboys. The 29-year-old veteran will spend another year in New York.

Olszewski also threw a pass on a reverse and had a wide-open receiver in the end zone, but he bounced the pass. The 29-year-old is primarily a special teamer and came into today with two catches on four targets for 43 yards and one touchdown. He is highly unlikely to be a receiving option in 2026.

Thibodeaux remains out with his shoulder injury, and there’s a good chance he won’t return in 2025. Wilson will again be the emergency quarterback behind Jaxon Dart and Jameis Winston.

McKenzie suffered a knee laceration and right foot injury in the Giants’ third preseason game. The 29-year-old vet played in 13 games for the Colts last season before being suspended three games for conduct detrimental to the team. The Giants signed him in March to add to a slot-heavy receiving corps. He had a role as returner, and his injury will open up special teams snaps and some slot snaps. Gunner Olszewski, the Giants’ other returner, is recovering from a groin injury. Wan’Dale Robinson stands to benefit from getting increased kick-returning and slot-receiving snaps.

The poor timing of the injury is likely to result in Isaiah McKenzie cracking the opening day roster as the team’s kick returner, although it will depend on Olszewski’s recovery time from the groin injury he suffered in the team’s second preseason contest Saturday. Neither Olszewski now McKenzie is expected to contribute much at wide receiver for the Giants this season.

Olszewski signed a two-year deal with the Steelers last offseason. The former All-Pro punt returner was cut for fumbling issues early in the year. The Giants then added him and he turned things around, only losing one fumble while averaging 11.9 yards per punt return. He also took one punt to the house. Olszewski will remain the team’s primary punt returner for 2024.

Olszewski has been a staple on special teams for the Steelers before a costly fumble early in the season. The fact that he couldn’t carve out a significant role on offense through the absence of wide receiver Diontae Johnson spelled the end, with the team moving on in favor of electric rookie Calvin Austin. Olszewski could stick with a team needing help on special teams.

It’s a quiet list for the Steelers heading into a road date with the Texans.