Giants return specialist and former All-Pro returner who suffered a feared Achilles tear at 2026 OTAs.
Gunner Olszewski built an NFL career on special teams, earning All-Pro honors as a return man. A Division II product who converted from cornerback to receiver, he has played for the Patriots, Steelers, and Giants across 81 games. At Giants OTAs in May 2026 he went down on a non-contact cut with a feared torn Achilles.
Path to the league
An undrafted Division II product who converted from defensive back to receiver and made his name as a punt returner, earning All-Pro recognition for his return work. The 29-year-old re-signed with the Giants on a one-year deal in the 2026 offseason after missing all of 2024 to injury.
2026 season
Had 24 punt returns for 216 yards and 8 catches for 102 yards in 2025. Went down on a non-contact change-of-direction play at a May OTA, grabbing his right leg before being carted off; the Giants fear a torn Achilles. If confirmed, the injury ends his 2026 season and removes the team's most experienced return man.
Sources
- ESPN: Giants fear WR Gunner Olszewski has torn Achilles
- NFL.com: Gunner Olszewski player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
16 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | giants | 16 | 10 | 145 | 14.5 | 1 | 28 |
| 2023 | steelers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | steelers | 16 | 5 | 53 | 10.6 | 0 | 31 |
| 2021 | patriots | 16 | 2 | 31 | 15.5 | 0 | 22 |
| 2020 | patriots | 13 | 5 | 62 | 12.4 | 1 | 38 |
| 2019 | patriots | 8 | 2 | 34 | 17.0 | 0 | 29 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | steelers | 16 | 8 | 39 | 4.9 | 0 | 18 |
| 2021 | patriots | 16 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2020 | patriots | 13 | 5 | 23 | 4.6 | 0 | 12 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- injuredReserveOrOut
- College
- Bemidji State
- Hometown
- Alvin, TX, USA
- Age
- 29
- Status
- day-to-day
