Ihmir Smith-Marsette hoping to solve Giants’ punt-returning mess after career uncertainty

Did the hometown team rescue Ihmir Smith-Marsette from a tight spot or did he rescue his hometown team? 

Maybe a little of both, considering the Giants desperately needed a punt returner and Smith-Marsette was out of the NFL for a week. 

“Of course I was getting nervous when I didn’t have a job,” said Smith-Marsette, who made the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp but got released the next day. “It felt like nobody wanted me. It was like, ‘Did I do not do enough?’ A lot of things were running through my mind, but I put my prayers up.”

The Giants were left without a true punt returner after Gunner Olszewski re-injured his groin in warm-ups for the season-opener.

Forced into the unfamiliar role, Darius Slayton fumbled a bouncing punt. 

Smith-Marsette, a Newark native who grew up as a Giants fan, has averaged 8.7 yards per punt return with a touchdown and 20 yards per kickoff return in his three-year NFL career. 

“I’m very comfortable,” Smith-Marsette. “I just got back to doing what I do best, and that’s playing football.” 

Smith-Marsette was one of three receivers that the Giants worked out Monday alongside a quarterback, a punter and two offensive linemen. 

“Never too big to earn a spot,” Smith-Marsette. “I’m just happy to be in my old stomping grounds and play in front of all my friends and family. Getting to bring my game back home is exciting…. I have a great opportunity ahead of me.” 

Why did the 6-foot-1 Smith-Marsette stand out from the other tryout options? 

“He has real, real speed. Like real speed,” special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said. “We’ll continue to make sure that he’s the best option in terms of securing the ball, which is No. 1 priority for us.” 

CB Deonte Banks had some expletive words for the Commanders on an Instagram video after the Giants won both head-to-head games last season.

Washington is the NFL team located closest to Banks’ alma mater (Maryland).

He also trash-talked receiver Terry McLaurin, asking “Did No. 17 play today.” 

“I don’t care about that anymore. I’m on to Year 2,” Banks told The Post. “He’s a good receiver, and it’s going to be a fun matchup.” 

WR Malik Nabers (knee) was listed as questionable on the final injury report, though head coach Brian Daboll declared him “ready to go.” 

Slayton cleared the concussion protocol and will be available.

CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee) and Olszewski will not play against the Commanders. 

Giants OLB coach Charlie Bullen underwent surgery Thursday to repair a broken leg that he suffered during the game when he got crashed into on the sideline by Vikings running back Ty Chandler.

Bullen will not travel to the game on Sunday.

Assistant coach Ben Burress will assume his responsibilities and move from the booth to the sideline. 

“I know he’s fighting like hell to get back out here,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said.