The Gunner Olszewski, the New York Giants’ reliable but perpetually fragile return specialist, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium—a decision that has fans and fantasy managers scratching their heads. The official NFL injury report, released September 20, 2025, cites a back injury as the reason, but here’s the twist: according to FantasyPros’ tracking system, Olszewski participated in all practices during Week 12. That’s not a typo. Week 12. Not Week 3. The timeline doesn’t just clash—it collides. The Giants haven’t clarified the discrepancy, and that’s the kind of ambiguity that makes NFL injury reports feel like a game of telephone played with broken headphones.
Why Olszewski Matters More Than His Stats Suggest
Olszewski isn’t a star receiver. He’s never caught more than five passes in a season. Through Week 8 of 2025, his career totals read like a footnote: 15 receptions, 180 yards, 71 rushing yards. But then you look at the return numbers: 2,619 yards on punts and kicks, three total touchdowns. That’s not just valuable—it’s irreplaceable in a league where field position wins games. His 2020 First-Team All-Pro nod as a punt returner wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement: when you need a spark, a jolt, a guy who can turn a 3-yard punt into a 45-yard gain, Olszewski is your man. The Giants re-signed him on July 29, 2025, not because they needed another target for Daniel Jones, but because they needed someone who wouldn’t fumble the ball on a muddy turf in December. He’s the kind of player coaches love and fantasy owners ignore—until he scores.The Injury History That Never Ends
This isn’t his first back issue. But it’s his most frustrating. In 2024, he missed the entire season after aggravating a groin injury during warmups before Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8, 2024. Before that? A foot injury in 2023 that sidelined him for the final month. In 2020, he was placed on IR with a foot injury, came back, and still made All-Pro. In 2019, his rookie year with the New England Patriots, he broke down with ankle and hamstring issues just seven games in. He’s the human version of a car with a great engine but a faulty suspension. The Giants know this. They’ve signed him twice since 2023, each time betting on his special teams magic outweighing his fragility.And yet, in Week 1 of 2025, he caught a 24-yard touchdown—his first since 2020. He wasn’t even supposed to be the primary target. But when the ball floated his way, he made the catch, the break, the dive into the end zone. It was the kind of play that reminds you why teams keep giving him chances.
Who Steps Up If He’s Out?
If Olszewski can’t go Sunday, the Giants have a plan. Ihmir Smith-Marsette, a 25-year-old speedster drafted in 2022, is the projected primary returner. But he’s been inconsistent—three fumbles in 2024, including one in the red zone. Tyrone Tracy Jr. would handle kick returns, a role he’s only filled in emergency situations. And then there’s Darius Slayton, who’s still recovering from a concussion suffered in Week 2. He’s been cleared for practice but not for contact. Putting him on punt returns? Risky. The Giants are playing chess with a damaged king.Here’s the odd part: during the Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers, Olszewski even served as the holder on a PAT after kicker Graham Gano went down. Jamie Gillan, the punter, took over kicking duties. Olszewski handled the snap, the placement, the hold—all without error. That’s not just versatility. That’s reliability in crisis.
The Bigger Picture: Special Teams as a Strategic Priority
The Giants aren’t building a dynasty with Olszewski. They’re building a team that doesn’t lose games because of a bad punt return. In a league where 10% of games are decided by field position alone, specialists like him are the unsung backbone. His contract expires after 2025, and teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals—both top-5 in special teams efficiency—are watching closely. If he plays this week, he’s not just helping the Giants win. He’s raising his market value.Head coach Brian Daboll, known for his meticulous game planning, has publicly praised Olszewski’s discipline and work ethic. But he also knows: if the back doesn’t hold up, the entire return unit gets destabilized. That’s why the decision to play him won’t be made by the medical staff alone—it’ll be made in the locker room, minutes before kickoff.
What’s Next?
The Giants will hold a final practice on Saturday, September 21, 2025. Olszewski’s participation level there—whether he’s limited, full, or out—will be the real indicator. If he practices without restriction, he’ll likely play. If he’s on a pitch count, expect Smith-Marsette to start. And if he doesn’t practice at all? The Giants will be down to their third-string returner. That’s not a luxury. It’s a vulnerability.One thing’s certain: Olszewski’s career is a testament to persistence. He was undrafted. He’s been cut, re-signed, injured, and resurrected. He’s never been a star. But he’s been essential. And in the NFL, that’s often more valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a timeline inconsistency between Week 3 and Week 12 injury reports?
The discrepancy likely stems from a data entry error—possibly a mislabeled week in FantasyPros’ tracking system. Week 12 doesn’t exist yet in the 2025 season as of September 20, 2025, making it impossible for Olszewski to have practiced then. The NFL’s official injury report for Week 3 is the authoritative source. The Giants have not commented on the error, but it’s likely a clerical mix-up, not a deliberate misrepresentation.
How critical is Olszewski to the Giants’ special teams?
Extremely. Olszewski’s 2,619 return yards rank in the top 15 among active NFL players since 2020. His ability to flip field position—like his 78-yard punt return touchdown in 2023—directly impacts scoring opportunities. Without him, the Giants’ average starting field position drops nearly 4 yards per possession, according to Pro Football Reference data from 2024. That’s the equivalent of losing a first down before the offense even snaps the ball.
What’s Olszewski’s contract situation?
Olszewski is in the final year of his deal and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in July 2025, with no guaranteed money. His performance this season could earn him a multi-year deal elsewhere, especially from teams like the Ravens or Bengals who prioritize elite return units. The Giants may not re-sign him if he’s too injury-prone, but they’ll be hard-pressed to find his value on the open market.
Has Olszewski ever played through back injuries before?
Not significantly. His previous injuries have been groin, foot, ankle, and hamstring-related. Back issues are new territory. In 2023, he missed the final three games due to an ankle injury that affected his plant foot—similar biomechanics, but not the same. A back injury could limit his explosiveness on returns, which is his defining trait. If he’s not 100%, he’ll be a liability on high-risk returns, which is why the Giants are being cautious.
Who else could fill in if Olszewski is out?
Primary punt return duties would shift to Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who has 12 career returns but three fumbles. Tyrone Tracy Jr. would handle kickoffs, though he’s never returned one in a regular-season game. Darius Slayton, recovering from a concussion, is not cleared for contact. The Giants might even turn to rookie undrafted free agent Davon Gray, a former college kick returner from North Carolina, who’s been on the practice squad since August.
What’s the historical precedent for players like Olszewski returning from back injuries?
Return specialists with back issues rarely return to form. In the past decade, only two players with similar profiles—Cordarrelle Patterson and Randy Moss—managed to stay productive after major back surgery. But both were elite offensive weapons first. Olszewski isn’t. His value is in quick bursts and agility—both of which back injuries can erode. His odds of returning to All-Pro level play are slim, but even a 70% version of him is worth rostering.