Spending two seasons because the New York Giants’ main punt returner, Gunner Olszewski re-signed with the new-look group this offseason. However one other season-altering harm appears to have occurred.
Olszewski, who missed the entire 2024 season, went down with a noncontact harm at Giants OTAs on Friday. The group fears the veteran particular groups presence suffered an Achilles tear, ESPN’s Adam Schefter stories. The previous first-team All-Professional returner is present process testing to verify this.
If Olszewski did tear his Achilles, he can be the third Giants participant to undergo that season-ending harm to date this offseason.
Defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris and cornerback Thaddeus Dixon have already torn their Achilles.
Re-signing with the Giants on a one-year, $1.4M deal that included $300K assured, Olszewski has been with the group since 2023. The Giants added him that yr after a Steelers stint. Olszewski, 30, started his profession with the Patriots in 2019. This might be his second season-nullifying harm in three years.
The Giants used Olszewski as their prime punt returner in 2023, signing him in November of that yr after the Steelers reduce him in-season. Olszewski, who earned his All-Professional slot with the Patriots in 2020, returned a punt for a rating in his first season with the Giants. He re-signed in 2024 however landed on IR that September and was by no means activated. A groin harm sidelined the veteran special-teamer two years in the past, however the Giants introduced him again in July 2025.
He performed in 16 video games for the group final season, seeing extra time on offense for a group that misplaced Malik Nabers to an ACL tear and performed with out Darius Slayton for a piece of the marketing campaign. Along with his punt-return duties, Olszewski caught a career-high 10 passes for 145 yards and a landing. As kick returns turned a notable NFL sequence due to a pivotal offseason rule tweak, Olszewski additionally labored as New York’s prime kick-return choice in 2025.
Massive Blue made three key receiver additions this offseason, signing Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin earlier than buying and selling up for Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields within the third spherical. Austin will probably be an choice within the punt-return recreation, having performed extensively in that function with the Steelers from 2023-25. His presence didn’t make Olszewski a roster lock in Harbaugh’s first yr, with the Giants — who misplaced Wan’Dale Robinson in free company — nonetheless rostering Slayton. Nabers will not be a lock to return from harm in Week 1, however it’s too early to name him a reserve/PUP record candidate.
