A former Carolina Panthers wideout has landed in familiar ground.
According to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Jordan Raanan, the New York Giants have signed receiver and return specialist Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The Newark, N.J. native had been released by the Panthers back on Aug. 28, a day before his 25th birthday.
Carolina acquired Smith-Marsette in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the start of the 2023 regular season. (That deal, in another festively fateful stroke, actually went down on his 24th birthday.)
Smith-Marsette went on to appear in all 17 games for the Panthers during the 2023 campaign, where he served as the team’s primary punt returner. He totaled 322 yards on a league-high 37 punt returns, including a 79-yard touchdown against the Chicago Bears in Week 10.
The speedster was in the mix to remain in his role under new head coach Dave Canales. Carolina, however, ultimately decided to give the return duties to running back Raheem Blackshear and veteran wideout David Moore.