Giants pass rusher Brian Burns likely suffers torn ACL in win over Titans
The New York Giants confirmed that pass rusher Brian Burns sustained a knee injury that is believed to be a torn ACL during Sunday’s 12-7 victory against the Tennessee Titans, potentially ending his season.
New York Giants pass rusher Brian Burns was injured in the fourth quarter of the team’s 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and sources said the injury is likely a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Burns fell to the field after a block by former teammate Austin Schlottmann, grabbed his right leg and was helped off by teammates before being taken to the locker room for medical evaluation.
Coach John Harbaugh said Burns will undergo an MRI to confirm the extent of the damage, adding that the team hopes for a positive outcome but will not know until the scan is completed. Burns entered the game with a low ankle sprain that kept him out of practice all week and had been listed as questionable.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, Burns is expected to miss the remainder of the season, and the Giants anticipate an increased role for defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who started against the Titans while Burns was used in limited pass-rush packages. Burns, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, posted 16.5 sacks last season, the second-most in the league, and had recorded four tackles and four pressures in the first three games of 2024.
Fellow edge rusher Abdul Carter expressed concern, saying, "Everybody knows what Burns brings to the team. I'm hoping it's nothing too bad." The Giants also dealt a recent blow to their offense after quarterback Jaxson Dart underwent surgery for a meniscus and MCL injury.
Burns, who has not missed a game since the 2020 season and has accumulated 71 career sacks, was acquired from the Carolina Panthers in 2024 on a five-year, $150 million contract and quickly became a team leader, serving on the leadership council this year.