Calvin

Austin

It’s a devastating blow both for Austin and the Giants offense. Austin, who had impressed throughout training camp, was “going to play a significant role” in the New York offense, per Raanan, operating as the team’s primary slot receiver. He suffered the knee injury on Tuesday. Austin had 84 receptions for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns over three seasons with the Steelers before signing a one-year deal with New York this offseason. Malachai Fields could see a bigger role with Austin done for the year. Austin’s absence could also create an opportunity for Odell Beckham, Jr. if he makes the team.

It doesn’t look good; most Giants beat writers are already moving on to talking about how his absence will open up a roster spot for the rest of the lower-roster receiver competition. Austin had just signed with the Giants this offseason after finishing his rookie contract with the Steelers. He was expected to return kicks, so this may open up a roster spot for someone else there as well if this is as serious as it seems.

This is not much of an endorsement. With Giants WR Malik Nabers (knee) and WR Darius Slayton (core muscle) sidelined by recent surgeries, Mooney and Austin are reportedly earning targets behind TE Isaiah Likely and TE Theo Johnson at organized team activities. Mooney ($10 million) and Austin ($4.5 million) signed one-year deals with the Giants in free agency. Nothing Stapleton “saw today would indicate that there’s no room” for free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. in this wide receiver group. Avoiding the Giants’ healthy wide receivers in spring drafts is a prudent call.

Signing Austin gives the Giants a diminutive slot receiver to replace their former diminutive slot receiver, Wan’Dale Robinson, who signed with the Titans in free agency. Austin is far less accomplished, though, having never once produced 600 receiving yards in a single season. Austin can earn up to $4.5 million this year. It would be unsurprising to see the Giants add another slot receiver via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft for competition.

The Joshua Palmer fantasy stock could be in shambles, folks. Buscaglia connects the Bills to a wide assortment of receivers, notably stopping for a beat on Romeo Doubs, Jalen Nailor, and Calvin Austin as particularly good fits for Buffalo. Moore and Khalil Shakir are the two easy top targets, any other additions would likely sink Palmer into a background role in the second year of his contract.

Typically known for his splash play potential and downfield chops, Austin took on more of a facilitator role for a Steelers team ranked in the bottom five in the league in explosive pass rate in 2025. He notched only four receptions of 20 or more yards in his third professional season. Austin remains under contract for one more year in Pittsburgh in what is sure to be a season full of change for the franchise, leaving him with little fantasy value outside of deep Best Ball leagues.

Austin was having a quiet game until a blown coverage — blown coverage is an understatement, really as Chidobe Awuzie fell down — allowed him to sneak into the end zone on a connection with Aaron Rodgers to give Pittsburgh a 26-24 lead and ultimately a win/playoff spot. The 26-year-old wideout will cede targets to DK Metcalf in the playoff game against the Texans, but should again see a handful of targets in that contest.

He’s a fringe WR4/WR5 without D.K. Metcalf as the Steelers try to find some semblance of seam-stretching power against the Ravens in a must-win AFC North divisional title game.

Austin has a chance to return this week, but it would be nice to see him upgrade his participation level. The speedy receiver is needed with No. 1 WR DK Metcalf suspended this week. The Steelers (9-7) take on the Ravens (8-8) this week, and the winner advances to the postseason.

Austin missed Week 17 with the hamstring issue. DK Metcalf will be out for Week 18 to finish serving his two-game suspension, meaning Austin could immediately return to a high-volume role. The Steelers will lean on their ground game this week in battle for the AFC North with the Ravens, but fantasy managers can pencil Austin in for a handful of targets if he is active, putting him on the WR4/5 radar for the final week of the regular season.