New York Giants hopeful to have Gunner Olszewski in Week 1 vs. Vikings

The New York Giants placed their primary returner, Isaiah McKenzie (foot), on season-ending injured reserve (IR) this week and are hopeful that their other top returner, Gunner Olszewski, will be ready for the season opener on September 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Olszewski has been out the past few weeks with a groin injury and the Giants are hoping time is the great healer here.

“We’ll see. I mean he’s making progress,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Thursday. “He was out here catching punts yesterday. I think he’s making improvement. I would hope so, but again, it’s 10 days or is it 10 days away, I think. 10 days, 11 days away. We’ll see where he’s at.”

Daboll was asked who will be returning kicks and punts should Olszewski not be ready for the Vikings in Week 1.

“Yeah, that’s internal discussions,” he said. “We have guys back there catching balls. There’s always things we could do to add to the roster if we wanted to, but I think Gunner is moving in the right direction.”

The Giants had wide receivers Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson fielding kicks in practice on Thursday.

Daboll said PR Gunner Olszewski is heading in “the right direction” for the opener. Daboll mentioned there’s still 10 days until then. That’s good news based on how Olszewski is moving. Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson were also returning punts pic.twitter.com/pOywrKSAoV

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 29, 2024

Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. could also be an option as he had return experience in college.

Ultimately, the Giants hope it doesn’t come to that and Olszewski will be ready to go come Week 1.