The Giants re-signed Smith-Marsette on Wednesday. Smith-Marsette served as the Giants primary return man in 2024, accumulating 381 kick-return yards -- including an 100-yard touchdown in Week 17 -- and 228 punt-return yards across 15 appearances. Now that he's officially returning to New York, the Iowa product is expected to serve as the team's return specialist in 2025 while also competing for a depth role at wide receiver throughout the summer.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Ihmir Smith-Marsette news
Other Giants Players
Team
New York Giants
Birthdate
8/29/1999 (25)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 185 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 5; Pk (MIN)
Birthplace
Newark, NJ, USA
Position
WR
College
Iowa
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
New York Giants
2024-Present
(1 season)
Carolina Panthers
2023-2024
(2 seasons)
Kansas City Chiefs
2022-2023
(2 seasons)
Minnesota Vikings
2021-2022
(2 seasons)
Chicago Bears
2022-2022
(1 season)
The Giants re-signed Smith-Marsette on Wednesday. Smith-Marsette served as the Giants primary return man in 2024, accumulating 381 kick-return yards -- including an 100-yard touchdown in Week 17 -- and 228 punt-return yards across 15 appearances. Now that he's officially returning to New York, the Iowa product is expected to serve as the team's return specialist in 2025 while also competing for a depth role at wide receiver throughout the summer.
Smith-Marsette didn't record any targets or touches on offense in 2024, but he logged 381 yards and one touchdown on 11 kick returns along with 228 yards on 29 punt returns. The highlight of Smith-Marsette's season was a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown in Week 17 against Indianapolis. That was his second career TD as a returner -- the first came on a punt return for the Panthers in 2023. On offense, Smith-Marsette logged only six offensive snaps, and his path forward on an NFL roster may be tied to his skill set on special teams. He'll be an unrestricted free agent upon the start of the offseason.
Coach Brian Daboll said Monday that Smith-Marsette checked out okay after he was evaluated for a concussion, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports. Smith-Marsette suffered a blow to the head during Sunday's game versus the Commanders, but it looks like he came away without any serious injury. He figures to resume his regular role as a return man in Week 10 at Carolina.
Smith-Marsette is questionable to return and is being evaluated for a concussion, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports. Smith-Marsette returned one kick for 21 yards and two punts for 12 yards before exiting the game. He will need to clear concussion protocol in order to return.
Smith-Marsette (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, Patricia Traina of SI.com reports. Smith-Marsette upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to consecutive limited sessions to end the Giants' week of practice, and Friday's injury report suggests that he's past his ankle issue in time for Week 9. Now that Smith-Marsette is back at full health, he's expected to serve as the Giants' top kick and punt returner.
Smith-Marsette (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Matt Citak of the Giants' official site reports. Smith-Marsette opened the week as a DNP on Wednesday due to an ankle injury he may have picked up during the Giants' Week 8 loss to the Steelers. He'll have one more chance Friday to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's NFC East showdown against the Commanders. Smith-Marsette has served as the Giants' primary return man on special teams, and if he cannot play Sunday, Darius Slayton and Eric Gray could handle those duties as Tyrone Tracy continues to work his way through the league's concussion protocols.
Smith-Marsette (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. Smith-Marsette played 10 special-teams snaps and returned three kicks for 100 yards in Monday night's loss to the Steelers, but it appears he sustained an ankle injury in the process. The first-year Giant could be in jeopardy of missing Week 9's matchup against the Commanders if he's unable to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday.
Smith-Marsette (foot) was not listed on the Giants' injury report Wednesday. Smith-Marsette left the Giants' Week 6 loss to the Bengals after sustaining a foot injury, but Wednesday's injury report suggests he's already moved past the issue. Expect the first-year Giant to assume the team's top punt and kick return duties ahead of Week 7's matchup against the Eagles.
Smith-Marsette (foot) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports. The returner fielded two punts and gained one yard before exiting. Smith-Marsette is deep on New York's wide receiver depth chart and has yet to record a catch this season. Darius Slayton and Tyrone Tracy are the next men up on punt and kick return duties, respectively.
