Calvin Austin Injury Update As Giants Wr Carted Off With Non-contact Injury

The New York Giants may have lost one of their starting wide receivers before the start of the regular season.

According to multiple reports, Calvin Austin had to be carted off from practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25 after sustaining a non-contact injury to his right leg. Reports indicate that the veteran wideout was attempting to make a cut when facing off against cornerback Deonte Banks in one-on-one drills when he fell to the ground and grabbed his right knee.

The Bergen Record, part of the USA TODAY network, reported that the entire Giants team huddled around Austin after his injury. Multiple reports indicated that team owner John Mara stopped to console Austin as he was carted off of the field.

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Austin, 27, joined the Giants this offseason as a free agent signing after four years playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin his career. The fifth-year wideout appeared to be in line to start as New York's new slot receiver in 2026 after Big Blue lost Wan'Dale Robinson to the Tennessee Titans in free agency this offseason.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh was complimentary of Austin in a press conference on Monday, Aug. 24, after New York's win over the Miami Dolphins in preseason Week 2.

"It's pretty clear all the things he does well. And the nice thing about Calvin is that he can play all three spots," Harbaugh said Monday, according to The Record. "You can move him around in any one of those positions. He's a quote-unquote smaller receiver, and yet he can go outside. He's played outside a lot. You don't see that that often. So, he gives us a lot of versatility that way, and that – kind of everything you ask him to do, he does it well. He's very reliable. Runs the right routes, makes catches. He's been that way kind of his whole career."

Here's what we know about Austin's injury, including how it affects the Giants' depth at wide receiver:

Calvin Austin injury update

Austin sustained a non-contact injury during the Giants' practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

According to multiple reports, the fifth-year wideout slipped while trying to make a cut in one-on-one drills against cornerback Deonte Banks. After Austin fell, he grabbed at his right knee and eventually had to be carted off of the field.

The exact nature of Austin's injury is unknown. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported shortly after the injury that the receiver sustained a "serious knee injury."

The Giants have not yet announced Austin's status.

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How Calvin Austin injury affects Giants' depth, roster

Austin had a shot at being a starter for his new team to begin the 2026 season. The fifth-year receiver was competing with fellow veterans Braxton Berrios and Darnell Mooney for a top spot alongside Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton.

After Austin's reported knee injury, Berrios filled in the Giants' slot receiver spot in practice on Aug. 25. Additionally, multiple reporters indicated that veteran Odell Beckham Jr., who was still fighting for a roster spot, saw an increased target share in practice after Austin's injury.

Early indications point to a Giants starting trio of Nabers and Slayton on the outside – with third-round rookie Malachi Fields also vying for Slayton's spot – and Berrios in the slot. Berrios will also likely take on kick and punt returning duties in 2026 after Gunner Olszewski tore his Achilles in OTAs.

Veterans Mooney and Beckham would likely be the next two receivers on the depth chart – and possibly the final two wideouts to secure a roster spot out of camp.

The Giants already cut veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Aug. 18 to make room for a late free agent signing: running back Najee Harris. Outside of the receivers listed, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt and Xavier Gipson are also competing for a spot on the 53-man roster to start 2026.

The deadline for NFL teams to make final roster cuts is Sunday, Aug. 30.

Contributing: NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Calvin Austin injury update as Giants WR carted off with non-contact injury