Calvin Austin III Out for Season After Tearing ACL at Giants Training Camp

Wide receiver Calvin Austin III will miss the entire 2026 campaign following a torn ACL sustained during a non-contact drill at Tuesday's practice.

New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III will miss the 2026 NFL season after medical evaluations confirmed a torn ACL in his right knee. The 27-year-old playmaker collapsed during a Tuesday morning training camp session while executing a route against cornerback Deonte Banks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the diagnosis, noting that the injury occurred during a one-on-one period on the side practice fields. Austin had recently joined the franchise on a one-year free-agent contract following a four-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Key details

The non-contact incident halted practice immediately as trainers rushed to the veteran’s side. Austin, who produced 372 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 31 catches last season, clutched his leg before being transported off the turf via a motorized cart. Giants owner John Mara was observed speaking with the receiver during the medical evaluation process. The entire active roster eventually surrounded the cart, offering a collective moment of support before the player was taken for an MRI that confirmed the season-ending ligament damage.

Prior to the injury, Austin was entrenched as the primary slot receiver in an offense led by starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. His absence forced an immediate reshuffling of the depth chart during the remainder of Tuesday’s session. Braxton Berrios stepped into the first-team slot role, taking over the specific responsibilities previously assigned to the former Steeler. This transition occurred as the coaching staff looked to maintain the tempo of the two-minute drill simulations scheduled for the afternoon block.

The vacancy in the receiving corps provides a significant opening for veteran Odell Beckham Jr., who has spent the majority of the summer working with the second-unit offense. Beckham, previously considered a candidate for the roster bubble, saw his snap count increase significantly following Austin’s departure. The three-time Pro Bowler capitalized on the additional reps by hauling in four passes during 11-on-11 drills. Two of those receptions came directly from Dart, marking the most chemistry the duo has displayed since the commencement of July practices.

Latest developments

Darnell Mooney also emerged as a focal point for the passing attack during the latter half of the Tuesday workout. Mooney recorded several deep completions, showcasing the vertical speed the Giants hoped to pair with Austin’s short-area quickness. With the slot position now in flux, the coaching staff must determine if Berrios possesses the durability to handle a full-time workload or if Beckham’s veteran savvy better suits the interior role. The team’s offensive identity was heavily predicated on Austin’s ability to create separation in the middle of the field.

Statistically, the loss of Austin removes a player who averaged 12 yards per reception during his final year in Pittsburgh. His 2025 campaign featured 31 successful targets, providing a reliable safety valve for his quarterbacks. The Giants’ front office now faces the task of scouring the waiver wire or exploring the remaining free-agent market to bolster a unit that just lost its projected starter. No official roster move has been finalized, though the team is expected to place Austin on Injured Reserve within the next 24 hours.

Tuesday’s practice concluded with a somber tone as players processed the loss of a key teammate. Despite the individual standout performances from Mooney and Beckham, the focus remained on the medical status of the 27-year-old wideout. The Giants are scheduled to return to the field on Wednesday morning, where the revised wide receiver rotation will undergo further scrutiny. The coaching staff will likely experiment with multiple personnel groupings to compensate for the 372 yards of production that must now be replaced by the current depth players.