Calvin Austin ACL: Giants WR Out for 2026

New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III will miss the 2026 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during Tuesday's training camp practice, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Athletic and Heavy confirmed the season-ending diagnosis Wednesday. Austin crumpled on a route against Deonte Banks, grabbed the knee, and was carted off as teammates prayed on the field.

Austin, 27, signed a one-year deal this offseason after four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He caught 31 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns last year and was slotted as New York's primary slot option. Schefter wrote he was in a contract year and primed to replace Wan'Dale Robinson's old role.

Who replaces Calvin Austin for the Giants?

Braxton Berrios took first-team slot snaps after Austin left, ESPN reported. Odell Beckham Jr., who had been working mostly with the twos and sitting on the roster bubble, suddenly has a clearer path. Beckham posted one of his stronger camp days Tuesday with four catches in live drills, including two from Jaxson Dart, ESPN noted. Darnell Mooney also had a strong session the same day.

The Giants still face Sunday's 53-man cutdown. Losing a planned slot starter five days out forces the staff to keep an extra receiver or trust Berrios and Beckham in nickel packages. That is the roster math behind every "Calvin Austin ACL" search Wednesday.

How the injury happened

Austin was running step for step with Banks in a one-on-one when the knee gave, ESPN wrote. Trainers called a cart. Owner John Mara went over to console him. The Athletic said teammates could not watch while staff worked on him. MRI confirmation landed Wednesday morning and closed the story: torn ACL, out for 2026.

Elsewhere on the Wednesday injury desk, Zay Flowers was already a Ravens practice story. Austin is a different kind of hit. Flowers is day-to-day language. Austin is season-ending language before Week 1.

Calvin Austin ACL FAQ

Is Calvin Austin III out for the season? Yes. Schefter and The Athletic reported a torn right ACL that ends his 2026 season.

When did Calvin Austin get hurt? Tuesday, Aug. 25, during Giants training camp one-on-ones. The ACL confirmation published Wednesday.

Who plays slot for the Giants now? Braxton Berrios took the first-team slot snaps immediately. Odell Beckham Jr.'s roster odds also rose, per ESPN and The Athletic.