Braxton Berrios released; Expected to return

Berrios announced on his Instagram that he will need season-ending surgery for his foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. The 31-year-old is primarily a special teamer, returning four punts and five kicks this season. Injuries have prevented Berrios from appearing in more than 14 games over the last three seasons and he now has his season end early as he requires foot surgery.

“Miss me yet?” — Odell Beckham Jr. Berrios is mostly a special-teamer at this point so this move doesn’t create much fantasy movement for the Giants, who have distributed almost all of their targets to Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely anyway.

This one is for the practice squad transactions grinders. Nabers is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Cowboys and has made it clear that he is weighing his long-term health heavily as he decides whether to play. Per Duggan, if the Giants elevate a second wide receiver, that “would be a very discouraging sign.” Stay tuned.

Berrios was one of four receivers to work out for the Giants on Monday, with the most notable being free agent Odell Beckham Jr. Whether or not Berrios’ signing will have an impact on OBJ joining the team remains to be seen, but unlike Beckham, Berrios was actually in the league last season. The 30-year-old receiver caught six passes for 37 yards for the Texans last season, and perhaps most importantly, has a lengthy resumé on special teams. After losing return man Gunner Olszewski to a torn Achilles last week, the Giants are in need of help in the return game. Berrios has a 191 combined kick and punt returns for his career and was a First-team All-Pro as a return man in 2021.

The drumbeat continues to grow louder for an OBJ/Giants reunion. The star receiver was recently spotted at Brian Burns charity softball game over the weekend, and has remained in constant contact with the team this offseason. At 33 years old, it’s hard to imagine OBJ offering much upside in reality and in fantasy land. Beckham didn’t play in 2025 and had a forgettable 2024 season with the Dolphins, catching nine passes for 55 scoreless yards. In addition to Beckham, the Giants are also working out JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios, and Anthony Miller on Monday. Smith-Schuster caught 33 passes for 345 yards and one touchdown last season with the Chiefs.

Jordan’s absence likely brings veteran Nick Chubb back into the fold in the backfield pecking order, although rookie Woody Marks appears to be in line for a hefty workload against the Steelers. There are no real surprises with the remainder of the inactives list out of Houston as they look to topple the Steelers on the road in the first week of the postseason.

Cornerback Kamari Lassiter is active after coming into the weekend listed as questionable, leaving no real surprises for the Texans as they look to continue their torrid second half of the season. Winners of four straight, the Texans could all but end Kansas City’s streak of consecutive postseason appearances with an upset on the road.

Berrios’ inactivity interestingly reduces the Texans’ slot receiver rotation to a two-player committee, including Christian Kirk and Jaylin Noel. Berrios was listed with a quad injury this week but practiced in full. Lane is worth stashing at this time. Stroud will now miss his third straight game since suffering a brain injury in Week 9 against the Broncos. He managed one limited session on Tuesday.

The Texans’ Week 9 wide receiver deployment is consequential. Rookie slot WR Jaylin Noel has played very well over the last two weeks while splitting time with veteran slot WR Braxton Berrios (chest). Kirk’s return jeopardizes Noel’s access to the slot, though it is possible Kirk could take some reps on the perimeter. Berrios has been cleared to play and will be available as well. Noel is worth holding, but carries clear risk as a FLEX option with upside. Kirk is a seemingly stable, floor-oriented FLEX option.

Kirk is now on track to return for Week 9 against the Broncos, while backup slot receiver Braxton Berrios (chest) remains limited. Kirk’s expected return jeopardizes rookie slot WR Jaylin Noel’s access to the starting slot role. Noel has played very well in recent weeks, but Texans coaches could choose to keep the veteran installed as the starter. Friday’s injury report is worth monitoring.