New York Jets' Xavier Gipson, right, drops a kickoff return after Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell, left, slapped it out of his hands during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants claimed wide receiver/return specialist Xavier Gipson off waivers from the Jets on Thursday, a day after he was cut following a costly fumble on a kickoff return in the season opener.

Linebacker Micah McFadden was also placed on injured reserve by the Giants with a foot injury suffered in New York’s season-opening loss at Washington on Sunday.

Gipson was returning a kickoff in place of the injured Kene Nwangwu on Sunday when he had the momentum-changing mistake in the Jets’ 34-32 loss to Pittsburgh.

After the Steelers scored to make it a two-point game early in the fourth quarter, Gipson fumbled on the ensuing kickoff. Pittsburgh recovered and the Steelers took the lead two plays later on Aaron Rodgers’ second TD throw in a 50-second span.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Wednesday the decision to waive Gipson wasn’t based on that play alone, although he had said after the game that players that cause mistakes in losses won’t be on the field with New York for long.

Gipson has 10 fumbles in 35 games since signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin in 2023. He returned a punt 65 yards for the winning touchdown in overtime to beat Buffalo in the season opener that year — the game during which Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut for New York.

The 24-year-old Gipson had 27 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown with the Jets, along with 73 yards rushing and a TD on nine carries. He averaged 8.9 yards on punt returns and 26 yards on kickoffs.

Purdy not sturdy

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is “week to week” with a toe injury and Mac Jones is expected to start on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

General manager John Lynch told the team’s flagship radio station KNBR on Thursday that the team reached the diagnosis after consulting with team trainers and doctors, along with foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson.

NFL Network reported Thursday that Purdy would miss between two and five weeks. Lynch would not confirm that report and only said that the team was pleased with the results of tests on Purdy’s toe.

Purdy hurt both his toe and left shoulder in the first half of the opener at Seattle. He stayed in the game and led the game-winning TD drive in a 17-13 win.

Latham hurting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee starting right tackle JC Latham said Thursday that he will be out Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams in the Titans’ home opener.

Latham left the season-opening loss in Denver early in the fourth quarter after with an injured hip that limited him during the preseason. Titans coach Brian Callahan said Monday that Latham aggravated an issue that the lineman has been playing through. The seventh pick overall in 2024 out of Alabama started every offensive snap as a rookie. Latham said that he is dealing with a strain that limits his ability to move as needed at lineman.