Wide receiver Xavier Gipson (C) joined the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2023. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
The New York Jets will cut wide receiver Xavier Gipson after his critical Week 1 fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a league source told UPI on Wednesday.
Gipson lost the fumble in the fourth quarter of the 34-32 setback Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets held a 26-24 lead when Gipson fumbled a kickoff return, which was recovered by the Steelers’ Ben Skowronek.
Gipson, 24, joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He was active for every game in 2023 and 2024. He totaled 27 catches for 268 yards and a score through the first 34 appearances of his NFL career. Gipson also scored a rushing touchdown. He spent the majority of his snaps on special teams.
The Steelers scored two plays after the Gipson fumble. Jets quarterback Justin Fields ran for a 1-yard score midway through the quarter to regain the lead, but the Steelers answered with a 60-yard field goal from Chris Boswell for the final points of the game.
Arian Smith and Tyler Johnson are the only wide receivers listed on the Jets depth chart behind starters Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds.
The Jets (0-1) will host the Buffalo Bills (1-0) at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in East Rutherford.
