Giants Receiver Calvin Austin Carted Off After Knee Injury

New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III was carted off the field after suffering a serious right knee injury during a training camp practice on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to team sources.

Austin collapsed while running a route against cornerback Deonte Banks during a one-on-one drill. Team trainers quickly brought out a cart as players gathered to support him, while owner John Mara consoled Austin before he was taken for an MRI evaluation.

The wide receiver had signed a one-year contract with the Giants this offseason after four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he missed his rookie season with a foot injury and sat out multiple games in 2025 with a shoulder injury. Austin had earned reps as the starting slot receiver in camp before the injury occurred.

Teammates expressed their concern for the injured wideout following the practice session.

"Praying for him. It's something you never expect," Berrios said. "We were just talking about it, a few of us guys who have been through things, and hopefully it turns out to be nothing.

But you can't take it for granted. It's when you least expect it. He's having an incredible camp.

Hopefully he'll be able to finish it. Just horrible seeing that and seeing him upset."

Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton emphasized Austin's impact on the team during camp.

"Really unfortunate," Slayton said. "Almost hard to really give it words, but Calvin worked his butt off. He earned the right to play for this football team this year, to make this team. Realistically he earned the right to start and play for this team and have an impact."

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy addressed the team's depth and mindset moving forward in the wake of the injury.

"It would be a blow," offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. "But I think the beautiful part of what [coach John Harbaugh] has done with us as a staff and as a team, his message this whole time has been positivity of understanding that the next guy's got to step up and play. And everyone says that.

But that's what's real. And so we feel like we have a great amount of competition and depth here."

Nagy reaffirmed that injuries are an unavoidable part of the game.

"And the next guy's got to do that. And so if it does go that route, that's a part of football. It happens across the league.

And it sucks. But that's what's real."

Nagy reiterated the importance of adapting quickly to roster changes.

"It would be a disservice to him if I said it wasn't a blow," Nagy said. "But I think the beautiful part of what Harbs has done with us as a staff and as a team - his message this whole time has been positivity. The next guy's gotta step up and play"

Braxton Berrios took first-team reps at slot receiver in Austin's absence, while veteran Odell Beckham Jr. recorded four catches in live drills as competition opens up for depth chart roles.