The New York Giants received more bad news in a week marked by injuries. Brian Burns suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, according to reports from Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. The injury would sideline the pass rusher for the rest of the 2026 season.
Burns was injured during the final quarter of the 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. There were approximately 11 minutes remaining when he fell to the turf after a play in which Cam Ward completed a short pass to Tony Pollard. The defender showed signs of pain and needed help leaving the field.
The Giants lose another key piece after Jaxson Dart’s injury
Just a few days earlier, Jaxson Dart had suffered damage to the MCL, PCL, and meniscus in his left knee against the Los Angeles Rams. The quarterback will have to undergo surgery, and the Giants have already confirmed that he will not return during the regular season.
Burns had entered the game against Tennessee with physical issues. He had sprained his left ankle six days earlier in the 28-6 loss to the Rams, did not practice during the week, and was listed as questionable on the injury report. He was ultimately able to play, but ended up suffering a different injury, this time to his right knee.
The initial evaluation after the game had left some room for optimism. Coach John Harbaugh explained that Burns would undergo an MRI and noted that there was “some hope” that it was not a serious injury. Later reports, however, pointed to an ACL tear.
The absence affects one of the main pillars of New York’s defense. Burns was coming off 16.5 sacks in 2025, the best mark of his career, and finished second in the NFL in that category, behind only Myles Garrett.
Without Burns, the Giants will have to distribute more work among their other defensive linemen. Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Arvell Reese appear among the main alternatives to take on a greater pass-rushing load during his absence.
The victory over Tennessee left New York with a 2-1 record, but also with another major loss. In the span of a week, the Giants lost Dart, their starting quarterback, and Burns, one of the main pillars of their defense, to knee injuries.
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