Giants Re-Sign Isaiah Hodgins from Steelers Practice Squad Amid Receiving Crisis

The New York Giants made a quiet but critical move on Thursday, November 13, 2025, bringing back Isaiah Hodgins — a familiar face with a proven track record — from the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad. The announcement, posted on the Giants’ verified X account, came just hours after they lost Lil'Jordan Humphrey to the Denver Broncos. For a team drowning in receiver injuries, Hodgins isn’t just a body — he’s a lifeline. And he knows this offense better than most.

Back Where He Belonged

Hodgins, 27, spent three seasons with the Giants between 2022 and 2024, appearing in 28 games and catching 56 passes for 593 yards and seven touchdowns. His most memorable moment? The 2022 NFC Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings. Eight catches. 105 yards. One touchdown. He became the first Giants receiver to hit the century mark in a postseason game since Hakeem Nicks did it in Super Bowl XLVI. That game didn’t just make highlight reels — it cemented Hodgins as a clutch performer in high-pressure moments.

After being released by the Giants in 2024, he bounced between the San Francisco 49ers and Steelers practice squads. He never got a chance to play in a regular-season game for either team in 2025 — but he was always there, ready. The Steelers signed him ahead of Week 3 against the New England Patriots, hoping he’d compete for the WR3 spot. But as SportsNet Pittsburgh noted, they never truly used him. "Didn’t seem to have any immediate plans," the outlet wrote. "But he was a solid option to have at their disposal."

The Giants’ Receiving Corps Is in Freefall

The timing couldn’t be worse — or better. The Giants’ receiving group has collapsed under injury. Darius Slayton is out with a hamstring tear. Malik Nabers, their dynamic rookie, is done for the season after a devastating knee injury. Tight end Daniel Bellinger is battling a rib injury, limiting his mobility. That leaves just two healthy wideouts with NFL experience: Parris Campbell and Dante Pettis. Neither is a deep threat. Neither has proven they can carry a game.

Enter Hodgins. He’s not flashy. He’s not a first-round pick. But he’s reliable. He blocks like a tight end. He runs precise routes. He catches the ball with both hands — even when it’s thrown off-target. And he knows New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s system inside and out. That means he doesn’t need a week of film study. He needs one practice. And the Giants will have him ready for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Why This Matters for Jameis Winston

This isn’t just about filling a roster spot. It’s about giving Jameis Winston — who’s set to make his first start of the 2025 season — someone he can trust. Winston, 31, has thrown 12 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in his brief Giants tenure. He’s not known for patience. He needs targets who can get open quickly. Hodgins fits that mold. In 2022, 68% of his receptions went for first downs. He’s the kind of guy who turns a 5-yard slant into a 12-yard gain. That’s gold when your quarterback is under pressure.

And the clock is ticking. The Giants play the Packers on November 24. That’s less than 11 days after Hodgins was on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. But here’s the thing: he’s already done this before. When he rejoined the Giants in 2022 after being waived earlier that season, he played in Week 8 and caught a touchdown the next week. Experience like that? It doesn’t come with a price tag. It comes with instinct.

The Steelers’ Loss, the Giants’ Gain

For the Steelers, this is a blow to their depth. They carried Hodgins all season — even after their Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, where they needed every available body. Now, with their Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 21, they’re scrambling. They’ve lost two practice squad players in as many weeks: Hodgins and backup safety Darnell Savage, who signed with the Jets. The Steelers’ GM, Bobby Beathard (acting in interim capacity), hasn’t commented publicly. But sources say they’re evaluating two undrafted free agents from training camp — one from Eastern Kentucky, one from FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.

It’s a reminder: practice squads aren’t just filler. They’re insurance. And when that insurance gets pulled, teams feel it.

What’s Next?

The Giants’ next move? They’ll likely promote a receiver from their own practice squad — perhaps Jalen Tolbert, who was cut in August but re-signed after injuries piled up. They might also bring in a veteran on a short-term deal before the trade deadline on November 5. But for now, Hodgins is their answer.

He’s not the future. He’s the now. And in a season that’s already slipping away, sometimes now is all you’ve got.