The Giants lost a key piece of their offense before the regular season even started. Calvin Austin III tore his right ACL in a non-contact drill and is done for the year. This injury hits hard because Austin was expected to be the main slot receiver. The team placed him on injured reserve on Thursday, ending his 2026 campaign.
A Devastating Non-Contact Injury
The worst part of this story is how it happened. Austin was running a route during one-on-one drills when he went down. He was carted off the field, and tests confirmed the torn ACL, according to Yahoo Sports. It was an injury in the knee with no contact from a defender. Head coach John Harbaugh had praised Austin’s ability to line up at all three spots just a day before the injury. Now that praise feels like a memory from a different season.
After spending four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Austin joined the Giants via free agency on a one-year contract. He was brought in to fill the role previously held by Wan’Dale Robinson. An unofficial depth chart published on the day of his injury listed him as the primary backup. The team hoped he would bring speed and versatility to the backfield. Instead, they lost a player who had worked his butt off to earn a starting spot.
How The Roster Changes Now
The injury also helped clear a path for Odell Beckham Jr., who ultimately made the Giants’ initial 53 man roster. . Braxton Berrios would hve been next in line, yet he was cut and then re-signed to the practice squad. The team needs someone to step up immediately, and now is the time as the roster is set.
Darius Slayton spoke out about the tragedy for his teammate. Slayton described the situation as really unfortunate and noted that it is difficult to find words given how hard Calvin worked. He acknowledged that Austin had earned the right to play and make an impact. Slayton knows how hard it is to make this squad, and he knows Austin deserved to be out there.
On that same day, the Giants also waived injured running back Dante Miller’s contract. The team is cutting ties with injured players who cannot contribute. In Pittsburgh last season, Austin tallied 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers show he was ready to contribute in a bigger role this year.
The Road Ahead For New York
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy called the loss a blow to the offense. The Giants need to find a way to move the ball without their planned slot receiver. This injury exposes a lack of depth in the passing game. The team cannot afford to lose more players before the first game. They need Berrios or another backup to step up and play like a starter.
