It was a wild game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets from start to finish on Monday night. With a game-winning punt return touchdown in overtime, undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 1.
Buy Jets TicketsFrom undrafted to Player Of The Week in his first career game.
Congrats, @Gipson22X!!
📰 https://t.co/YQ92Lb7XRM pic.twitter.com/GXtyik2QMe
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 13, 2023
There was a moment when the odds of Gipson making the Jets’ roster as an undrafted rookie were slim. The Jets had a receiver room that already featured Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb, Corey Davis, and Jason Brownlee was turning heads throughout the offseason.
But with Davis retiring, Gipson earned a roster spot due to his contributions on special teams. The first-year receiver didn’t wait long to make a name for himself as he would score a 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime on Monday night to secure a win for the Jets.
When Aaron Rodgers exited the game with a season-ending Achilles injury, things looked dire for the Jets in Week 1 versus the Bills. Aside from a special performance from the defense that allowed Jordan Whitehead to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week, Gipson showed up when it mattered most to be named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in his debut.
