The New York Giants wide receiver depth chart has undergone another significant change, as veteran wide receiver and return specialist Braxton Berrios is officially out for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season.
Berrios will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a foot injury during the Giants’ Week 4 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. His absence leaves New York even thinner at wide receiver and creates another opportunity for players further down the depth chart.
What Happened to Braxton Berrios?
Berrios suffered the injury while returning a punt against the Arizona Cardinals. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve before confirming that surgery would end his season.
The 31-year-old had primarily served as New York’s kickoff and punt returner while providing additional depth at receiver.
Berrios finishes his 2026 season without a reception, but he averaged 27.6 yards per kickoff return and had become an important part of the Giants’ special teams unit.
Updated NY Giants WR Depth Chart
With Berrios no longer available, the Giants’ wide receiver depth chart is increasingly thin.
The primary active receivers are:
- Malik Nabers
- Darnell Mooney
- Malachi Fields
- Charlie Jones
The Giants’ official depth chart had listed Berrios behind Mooney, with Jones also providing depth at the position. With Berrios sidelined, Jones becomes an increasingly important piece of the receiving corps and special teams.
New York also has receivers Dalen Cambre and Jalin Hyatt on the practice squad.
Charlie Jones Could See Bigger Role
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Berrios’ injury could be Charlie Jones.
Jones replaced Berrios as a returner against Arizona and immediately contributed, recording two punt returns for 29 yards and three kickoff returns for 69 yards.
He is now expected to take over much of Berrios’ special teams workload while also providing additional depth at wide receiver.
That could make Jones one of the Giants players to watch as New York adjusts its roster following another injury.
Giants Add Dontae Fleming to Practice Squad
New York has also added Dontae Fleming to the practice squad, giving the Giants another receiver who could potentially be elevated to the active roster.
Fleming provides additional depth for a position group that has changed considerably during the opening weeks of the 2026 season.
For now, the Giants appear prepared to examine their internal options before pursuing another veteran receiver.
Giants WR Room Has Changed Dramatically
Berrios’ injury is only the latest development in what has become a constantly changing Giants receiver room.
New York previously moved on from Darius Slayton and recently released Odell Beckham Jr.
Berrios and Jones were promoted to the active roster on September 29 following Beckham’s departure. Now, just over a week later, Berrios is unavailable for the remainder of the season.
That leaves Nabers, Mooney and Fields as the Giants’ primary receiving options, with Jones moving higher in the rotation.
What Braxton Berrios’ Injury Means for the Giants
Berrios was not a major factor in the Giants’ passing offense, so his absence does not necessarily require New York to completely restructure its offensive game plan.
His loss could be more significant on special teams.
Berrios has extensive experience as an NFL return specialist and was named a First-Team All-Pro returner in 2021 while playing for the New York Jets.
Replacing that experience will now fall largely on Jones and potentially other players already within the organization.
NY Giants WR Depth Chart Moving Forward
The Giants enter the next portion of their 2026 schedule with considerably less established depth at receiver than they had entering the season.
Malik Nabers remains the centerpiece of the passing attack, while Darnell Mooney and Malachi Fields will continue carrying significant responsibilities.
Charlie Jones now becomes more important both as a receiver and return specialist, while Cambre, Hyatt and newly added Fleming give New York potential practice-squad options.
The Giants could still explore outside additions if injuries continue to mount, but the immediate plan appears to be replacing Berrios from within.
Bottom Line
Braxton Berrios is officially out for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after suffering a foot injury that requires surgery.
His season-ending injury creates another change to an already reshuffled NY Giants WR depth chart, leaving Malik Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields and Charlie Jones as the primary active options.
Jones is expected to assume Berrios’ return responsibilities, while the addition of Dontae Fleming to the practice squad gives New York another potential depth option.
With Berrios joining the growing list of Giants receivers no longer available, New York’s wide receiver depth will be an important storyline to follow as the 2026 NFL season continues.