Giants Waive Former Steelers Wide Receiver

The New York Giants have released former Steelers wide receiver Gunner Olszewski from their active roster on Monday, the team announced. He played in their game against the Jets after being elevated from the practice squad, and now he is on the way out for now, but the team expects for him to wrap back around to the practice squad.

The Giants signed Olszewski just over a week ago, elevating him for the game. Pittsburgh cut him shortly before their game against the Los Angeles Rams, trimming their wide receiver rotation with the return of Diontae Johnson into the initial fold.

Olszewski had been a healthy scratch in Week 1 when the Steelers had a full complement of wide receivers, but an injury to tight end Pat Freiermuth will make it difficult for the team to carry six wide receivers this week. 

Olszewski also did not play well when given an opportunity due to injuries. He caught a kickoff that was going out of bounds, costing his team 30 yards, and fumbled a catch and a punt return, losing them both. 

The Steelers signed Olszewski to a two-year contract last spring with the intention of him replacing Ray-Ray McCloud as a slot receiver and return man. He lost his punt return job to Steven Sims early last season and only kept his receiving role because the team traded away Chase Claypool. 

In 18 games with the Steelers, he caught six passes for 53 yards, ran eight times for 39 yards, returned nine punts for 63 yards, and two kickoff returns for 24 yards. He had four total fumbles.