Calvin Austin III’s worst injury fears confirmed in Giants crusher

The worst fears of Calvin Austin III and the Giants were confirmed.

Not that there was much doubt after the solemn scene at Tuesday’s practice, but testing revealed that Austin tore his ACL while making a one-on-one cut against Deonte Banks and will be out for the season.

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The organization seemed to immediately recognize the gravity of the situation as practice came to a standstill when Austin was loaded onto the cart to leave the field. Owner John Mara followed Austin’s cart to offer his well wishes.

Austin was primed to be the Giants’ No. 3 slot receiver, though that role would have been more limited than in some offenses because the Giants are expected to rely on heavy packages with a fullback and multiple tight ends, including Isaiah Likely in the slot, on early downs.

Austin will be a free agent after the season after specifically targeting the Giants in March to sign a one-year, $1.5 prove-it deal. 

Austin’s absence means the Giants receiver depth chart looks set ahead of Sunday’s cuts: Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Malachi Fields, Braxton Berrios and Odell Beckham Jr.

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Dalen Cambre would be a desirable addition to the practice squad if he passes through waivers.

Berrios and Cambre took over for Austin in the slot during Tuesday’s practice, but that’s not maximizing the pecking order.

Perhaps Mooney, who had arguably his best practice of the summer Tuesday before and after Austin went down, slides into the slot in three-wide formations.

He played at least 200 snaps inside in each of the last two seasons for the Falcons after actually playing more frequently in the slot than on the outside early in his career with the Bears under Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

“Anytime you see a player go down, your heart feels for those guys because you know how much they’ve invested into the game,” said special teams coordinator Chris Horton, who was using Austin as a backup punt returner.

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