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Braxton Berrios expected to land on Giants’ IR, return game hit hard
Giants receiver and returner Braxton Berrios is expected to go on injured reserve with a foot injury, removing a key piece from New York’s return game for at least four weeks.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: Pro Football RumorsSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
The New York Giants are preparing to be without Braxton Berrios for an extended stretch. The veteran receiver and return specialist sustained a foot injury on Sunday and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, according to ESPN, a move that would rule him out for at least four regular-season games.
Head coach John Harbaugh noted that the transaction has not yet been finalized and said the team will have more clarity on Berrios’ status on Tuesday. Even so, the expectation of an IR designation leaves both the Giants’ receiving corps and special teams group thinner heading into the coming weeks.
Giants lose key piece in return game
Berrios has been deployed primarily as a returner this season. He has logged five kick returns and four punt returns so far, handling a specialized role that helped shape the Giants’ starting field position. For the first three weeks, he was elevated from the practice squad on game day before earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
That promotion became possible when New York released Odell Beckham Jr., opening a place on the active roster that Berrios quickly filled. The Giants counted on his experience and reliability in the return game more than on a heavy offensive workload at receiver.
Berrios, who turns 31 this week, is best known for his early-career stint with the New York Jets, where he posted his top scrimmage-yardage season in 2021 and received first-team All-Pro recognition as a returner that year. Since leaving the Jets, he has spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans, again contributing mainly on special teams while seeing limited targets on offense.
Charlie Jones among next-man-up options
In the short term, the Giants could turn to Charlie Jones as their primary returner. Jones was recently signed to the active roster from the practice squad, a move that now looks especially significant with Berrios facing a multi-game absence.
New York also has internal options to bolster depth at wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt and Dalen Cambre remain on the practice squad and could be elevated if the team decides it needs additional help in the passing game while Berrios recovers.
For now, Berrios’ focus will shift to rehabbing his foot injury, with the Giants hopeful he can resume his return duties later in the season. No firm timetable has been set beyond the minimum four-game layoff required by an injured reserve stint.