The New York Giants have reunited with special teams ace Nate Ebner.
Ebner, who was a team captain in his first season with the Giants in 2020, signed today as the Giants ramp up preparations for Sunday's season opener against the Denver Broncos. Ebner was a free agent after trying out for one of the 12 spots on the United States National Rugby Team that competed in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Ebner participated in the Games in Rio in 2016.
When Ebner was an Olympian five years ago, he played for the New England Patriots. Giants head coach Joe Judge was the team's special teams coordinator at the time and supported Ebner's Olympic pursuit again this time around.
View photos of Giants defensive back and special teams ace Nate Ebner.
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
United States's Nate Ebner, during the men's rugby sevens match against Brazil at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016.
David Mayo (55), Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
United States' Nate Ebner during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016.
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) runs off the field before an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill via AP)
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New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) lines up for the kick off during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp scrimmage at Met Life Stadium on Friday August 28, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
United States's Nate Ebner, front left, is tackled by Brazil's Stefano Giantorno, left back, during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) makes a move on the field in kick coverage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Nate Ebner (43), Logan Ryan (23)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) runs down field during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) in action during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner looks on against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner jogs on the field against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) runs down the field after kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Michael Owens via AP)
Brazil's Daniel Sancery, front, is tackled by United States's Nate Ebner, during the men's rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) drops back in pass coverage during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner in action against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) warms up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
United States's Nate Ebner, scores a try during the men's rugby sevens match against Brazil at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016.
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) sets up for the kick off during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) in between plays during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, Md. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) defends a kick off during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, Md. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) sets up for the kick off during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) awaits a Pittsburgh Steelers kickoff during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sep. 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Alika Jenner via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) runs during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) warms up during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Nate Ebner (43) gets set for the kick off against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Michael Owens via AP)
United States's Nate Ebner, scores a try during the men's rugby sevens match against Brazil at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016.
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
Nate Ebner (43)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nate Ebner (43)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp practice on Thursday September 3, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday September 1, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner participates during a scrimmage at the NFL football team's training camp, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp scrimmage at Met Life Stadium on Friday August 28, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Nate Ebner (43) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
"That's an experience I've been through with him before," Judge said in May. "Actually, he returned from the Olympics in 2016 and had a tremendous year for us. So, I've gone through this before with him. I understand exactly how his training applies, rugby and can lead into football, and look, honestly it was one of his most productive years ever.
"He's a guy that's very locked in and focused. He was a captain last year and is a great team leader. This team, what he's helping build is very important for him and while I don't speak for anyone else, I don't mind echoing that for Nate because I know I can speak very directly and honestly. But look, he's a very important part of this team and we look forward to getting him back."
Ebner has played in 143 NFL games, including 16 in the postseason. A special teams standout since entering the NFL in 2012, Ebner played on the Patriots teams that defeated Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX, Atlanta in Super Bowl LI, and the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. He was on injured reserve when New England lost to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII. Ebner joined the Giants as a free agent last year. He participated in a team-high 328 special teams snaps and tied for second with six special teams tackles.
Limited Tickets Available for Giants vs. Broncos
Limited tickets are available for the Giants' home opener vs. the Broncos on Sunday
