Giants Wr Calvin Austin Iii Suffers Potentially Significant Knee Injury

Giants practice screeched to a stop on Tuesday afternoon when wide receiver Calvin Austin III suffered a potentially significant right knee injury. 

As the entire team gathered around him following the injury, Austin was carted off the field.

"What an unbelievable kid, what a great person, and a great talent," said offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. "So, I think naturally you always think the worst when something like that happens, but we don’t know."

If Austin's injury is indeed serious, it would create a big hole at wide receiver -- specifically in the slot.

"It would be a disservice to him if I said it wasn’t a blow," Nagy said. "It would be a blow, but I think the beautiful part of what [John Harbaugh] has done with us as a staff and as a team, his message this whole time has been positivity and understanding that the next guy’s gotta step up and play. Everyone says that, but that’s what’s real, and we feel like we have a great amount of competition and depth here, and the next guy’s gotta do that. 

"So, if it does go that route, that’s a part of football and it happens across the league, but that’s what’s real, so we’ve just got to be able to step up and execute."

It's possible the absence of Austin could create a spot for Braxton Berrios, and it could also potentially lead to an opening on the 53-man roster for Odell Beckham, Jr., who has looked good in camp as he attempts to restart his career.

The Giants are expected to enter the season with Malik Nabers (who recently shed his red, non-contact jersey) and Darius Slayton as their top two wide receiver options, with tight end Isaiah Likely another legitimate pass-catching threat.

New York's depth at receiver should include recent third-round draft pick Malachi Fields and Darnell Mooney. 

Austin, 27, had signed with the Giants in March after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Steelers.

He had 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns for Pittsburgh last season while playing 14 regular season games (seven starts).