Return specialist and depth receiver who signed with Arizona after a year on the Giants' practice squad.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette built a roster path through special teams, where his speed makes him a threat on punt and kickoff returns. The Cardinals signed him for the 2026 season after he spent 2025 on the New York Giants' practice squad.
Path to the league
Smith-Marsette was a productive returner and receiver at Iowa before the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has since bounced through several organizations, carving out work primarily as a return man and depth option.
Career highlights
Across his career he has totaled 14 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns on offense, per his Wikipedia profile, with additional production as a rusher. His bigger impact has come on special teams, including a punt-return touchdown and a kickoff-return touchdown among his 66 career punt returns and 16 kickoff returns.
2025 season
Smith-Marsette spent the 2025 season on the Giants' practice squad and was not elevated for any regular-season games, according to reporting on his Arizona signing. He joined the Cardinals on a reserve deal after the season ended, per Yahoo Sports.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports: Arizona Cardinals sign WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
- ESPN: Ihmir Smith-Marsette player page
Statistics
2025 season and career▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | panthers | 17 | 8 | 51 | 6.4 | 0 | 18 |
| 2022 | bears | 6 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 |
| 2021 | vikings | 8 | 5 | 116 | 23.2 | 2 | 44 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | panthers | 17 | 8 | 74 | 9.3 | 1 | 20 |
| 2022 | bears | 6 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | -1 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Iowa
- Hometown
- Newark, NJ, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
