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New York Post
Ihmir Smith-Marsette hoping to solve Giants’ punt-returning mess after career uncertainty
By Ryan Dunleavy,
4 hours ago
Did the hometown team rescue Ihmir Smith-Marsette from a tight spot or did he rescue his hometown team?
Maybe a little of both, considering the Giants desperately needed a punt returner and Smith-Marsette was out of the NFL for a week.
“Of course I was getting nervous when I didn’t have a job,” said Smith-Marsette, who made the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp but got released the next day. “It felt like nobody wanted me. It was like, ‘Did I do not do enough?’ A lot of things were running through my mind, but I put my prayers up.”
The Giants were left without a true punt returner after Gunner Olszewski re-injured his groin in warm-ups for the season-opener.
Smith-Marsette, a Newark native who grew up as a Giants fan, has averaged 8.7 yards per punt return with a touchdown and 20 yards per kickoff return in his three-year NFL career.
“I’m very comfortable,” Smith-Marsette. “I just got back to doing what I do best, and that’s playing football.”
Smith-Marsette was one of three receivers that the Giants worked out Monday alongside a quarterback, a punter and two offensive linemen.
“Never too big to earn a spot,” Smith-Marsette. “I’m just happy to be in my old stomping grounds and play in front of all my friends and family. Getting to bring my game back home is exciting…. I have a great opportunity ahead of me.”
Why did the 6-foot-1 Smith-Marsette stand out from the other tryout options?
“He has real, real speed. Like real speed,” special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said. “We’ll continue to make sure that he’s the best option in terms of securing the ball, which is No. 1 priority for us.”
Slayton cleared the concussion protocol and will be available.
CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee) and Olszewski will not play against the Commanders.
Giants OLB coach Charlie Bullen underwent surgery Thursday to repair a broken leg that he suffered during the game when he got crashed into on the sideline by Vikings running back Ty Chandler.
Bullen will not travel to the game on Sunday.
Assistant coach Ben Burress will assume his responsibilities and move from the booth to the sideline.
“I know he’s fighting like hell to get back out here,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said.
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