With the news that kick returner Gunner Olszewski could be out for an extended period with a groin injury, the New York Giants signed veteran returner man and wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who worked out for the team on Monday.
In addition, the Giants added linebacker Curtis Bolton to the practice squad.
Smith-Marsette, 25, is a Newark native who played his college ball at Iowa and was the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year in 2018.
Smith-Marsette was a fifth-round pick (157 overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2021 NFL draft and played with the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs (where he earned a Super Bowl ring) and the Carolina Panthers.
Last November, Smith-Marsette returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown for the Panthers.
In 33 career games (one start), Smith-Marsette has caught 14 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, rushed nine times for 73 yards and one touchdown, returned 37 punts for 322 yards and one touchdown, and returned five kickoffs for 100 yards.
Meanwhile, the Giants have also re-signed Jakob Johnson to their 53-man roster. It marks the seventh transaction he’s been involved in since cutdown day.
Finally, the Giants announced that linebacker Carter Coughlin (pec) has been waived/injured. Once he clears waivers, he will revert to injured reserve (IR).