Braxton Berrios is on his way out of the Giants’ roster for now, but the move comes with a built-in wrinkle that makes this more like a roster shuffle than a true goodbye.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New York plans to release the veteran wide receiver and return specialist and then bring him back in time for the Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants are working through their final roster decisions before the regular season, and Berrios appears to be part of that late-stage maneuvering.
The key detail is his veteran status. Because Berrios is a vested veteran, he does not go through waivers, which gives the Giants room to cut him temporarily without risking the same process younger players face. That leaves New York with options: it can re-sign him to the active roster or potentially place him on the practice squad and elevate him for the opener.
Berrios arrived in June after injuries raised concerns in the Giants’ receiving group. Gunner Olszewski tore his Achilles during the offseason program, creating another opening at receiver and in the return game, and Berrios brings experience in both spots.
The 30-year-old has played in 91 career games with the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans. Over that stretch, he has 140 catches for 1,360 yards and six touchdowns. He has also built a reputation as a seasoned return man, which is exactly why New York brought him in.
His strongest special-teams season came in 2021, when he earned first-team All-Pro honors as a returner. In his career, he has returned 100 punts for 1,130 yards and 91 kickoffs for 2,265 yards.
His preseason finale against the Jets did not help his case. Berrios caught one pass for 15 yards on four targets and also lost a fumble. Even so, the Giants’ reported plan to bring him back suggests they still value what he can do.
So, yes, Berrios is technically being released. But if New York follows through on this plan, the separation should be short, and he could still be back returning kicks when the Giants open against Dallas.
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