Outside linebacker Brian Burns suffered a torn ACL in the fourth quarter of the Giants' 12-7 victory over the Titans and will undergo surgery, coach John Harbaugh confirmed Monday afternoon.
"(He's) not just a great player, which he is," Harbaugh said. "I mean, in many ways (he's) the leader of the defense, I would say, just as a veteran leader and star player, also a worker, out front kind of guy in everything he does. Just, you hate to see it. I mean, and really for him, too. He was just such a rock for us. Freaky play, kind of turning the corner, puts his foot in the ground, gets hit from the side right at the same time. Again, doesn't look much like these knee injuries sometimes, most of the time don't, these crazy contact injuries. So, just a tough deal, but it's one we've got to deal with."
It marks back-to-back weeks the Giants lost a key player and leader. Quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury last Monday night and will be out for the rest of the regular season at least.
"So, again, you feel it," Harbaugh said. "It hurts emotionally. You feel it more for the player even than for the team. But the team is resilient. The team, the next guy will step up. We'll have to grow stronger. You kind of grow over the wound. You heal the wound, you grow over it, you scar up, and you move on. And we're not the only team that faces losses or will face losses. And the fact that there's been, yeah, we've got our quarterback one week and probably our top defensive player, you might say, the next week is shocking. But you've got to overcome the shock, and you've got to get ready to play the next game and find a way to win the next game. That's what we'll be doing as a team. But I feel bad for Brian more than anything. My heart breaks for him that way."
Burns, who went down with 11:02 remaining in the game, was already playing through an ankle injury sustained last Monday night against the Rams. He did not practice all week and was listed as questionable on the final injury report.
Burns has never missed a game as a Giant, making 37 straight appearances since he was traded from the Panthers in 2024. Burns had started all of them until Sunday, when Kayvon Thibodeaux opened the game in his place.
Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter will now shoulder a bigger workload.
"They're going to have to, for sure," Harbaugh said. "And they've been playing a lot. Abdul especially has been playing a ton. And Kayvon's been playing a lot. So, it's not going to be a problem for Kayvon to play more snaps. What we just need to do is get on track up front in terms of the pass rush. I think they're doing a really good job. All those guys have done a very good job against the run. We've been pretty darn consistent against the run. We've had a few runs against us in the second half of the last two games that we aren't happy about. But generally, we've been a good run defense. And we want to keep building on that. But we need to get to the quarterback more. And some of that's – yeah, some of that, the ball comes out quick. Sometimes they're chipping. They're doing a lot of things to offset our pass rush. But they're having a little too much success offsetting it right now. So, we've got to keep finding ways to get the quarterback on the ground. And those two guys, obviously, are going to be a massive, massive part of that going forward."
The injury will cut short an encore to Burns' banner year.
Burns racked up the accolades in 2025, when he was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. He was also voted to his third career Pro Bowl, first with the Giants. Burns also made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022 as a member of the Carolina Panthers.
In his seventh NFL season, Burns set career highs in sacks (16.5), quarterback hits (31), tackles for loss (22) and forced fumbles (tied with three) while starting all 17 games for his second consecutive season with the Giants. His 31 quarterback hits were the most by any Giant since the statistic started being tracked in 2006.
Another streak will come to an end for Burns.
He is one of eight players ever to record at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first seven seasons. The others are Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Aaron Donald, Ryan Kerrigan and Yannick Ngakoue.
Last month, Burns was voted No. 14 on the NFL's "Top 100 Players of 2026." It made him the highest-ranked Giants defender ever to appear on the list, which debuted in 2011 and is decided annually by current NFL players.
Burns has 71 sacks since he entered the league in 2019 as a first-round pick from Florida State, tied with Maxx Crosby for fifth in the NFL in that span.
View every move made by the New York Giants during the 2026 cycle.
WR Jalin Hyatt - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 7)
QB Jake Haener - Practice Squad Exception (November 7)
RB Phil Mafah - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 7)
OLB Dawuane Smoot - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 7)
QB Jake Haener - Waived, No Recall (November 5)
CB Greg Newsome II - Signed, 3-year contract extension (November 4)
RB Eric Gray - Practice Squad Veteran (November 2)
DL Josh Tupou - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 2)
RB Gregory Desrosiers - Free Agent Signing from LAC Practice Squad (October 27)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Reserve/Injured (October 27)
DL Dean Lowry - Practice Squad Veteran (October 27)
WR Jason Brownlee- Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 27)
CB Paulson Adebo - Activated, from Reserve (October 24)
LB Tremaine Edmunds - Reserve/Injured (October 24)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 24)
S Raheem Layne - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 24)
CB Paulson Adebo - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (October 21)
OL Josh Sills - Free Agent Signing from IND Practice Squad (October 21)
OLB Trace Ford - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 20)
RB Najee Harris - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (October 20)
OLB Jihad Ward - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (October 20)
WR Jason Brownlee - Practice Squad (October 20)
OLB Trace Ford - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 17)
OL Josh Gesky - Practice Squad (October 14)
DL C.J. Ravenell - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 14)
LB Malik Harrison - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 13)
OLB Dawuane Smoot - Practice Squad Veteran (October 13)
WR Dalen Cambre - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 10)
OLB Trace Ford - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 10)
DL Chauncey Golston - Reserve/Injured (October 10)
QB Jake Haener - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (October 7)
WR Braxton Berrios - Reserve/Injured (October 7)
WR Dontae Fleming - Practice Squad (October 7)
QB Jake Haener - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 3)
OLB Trace Ford - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 3)
OL Kendrick Green - Practice Squad Veteran (October 2)
OL Darian Kinnard - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 2)
OLB Jihad Ward - Free Agent Signing from MIN Practice Squad (October 1)
DL Josh Tupou - Practice Squad Veteran (October 1)
DL Josh Tupou - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 30)
QB Jake Haener - Practice Squad Exception (September 30)
WR Braxton Berrios - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (September 29)
WR Charlie Jones - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (September 29)
OLB Brian Burns - Reserve/Injured (September 29)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 29)
DL PJ Mustipher - Practice Squad Exception (September 29)
QB J.J. McCarthy - Acquired (from MIN) for 2027 Fifth Round Pick (September 28)
QB Jake Haener - Waived, No Recall (September 28)
QB Jake Haener - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (September 26)
WR Braxton Berrios - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)
LB Malik Harrison - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)
QB Jaxson Dart - Reserve/Injured (September 24)
DL C.J. Ravenell - Practice Squad Exception (September 22)
OL Ryan Schernecke - Practice Squad (September 22)
OL Kingsley Eguakun - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 22)
DB Elijah Jones - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 22)
WR Braxton Berrios - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
LB Malik Harrison - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
CB Nikko Reed - Free Agent Signing (from LAC PS) (September 18)
CB Paulson Adebo - Reserve/Injured (September 18)
CB Jaden Robinson - Practice Squad (September 17)
OL Ryan Schernecke - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 17)
DL Josh Tupou - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (September 16)
WR Dalen Cambre - Practice Squad (September 16)
RB Phil Mafah - Practice Squad (September 14)
WR Dalen Cambre - Waived, No Recall (September 14)
WR Dalen Cambre - Free Agent Signing (from NYG PS) (September 12)
WR Braxton Berrios - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 12)
LB Malik Harrison - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 12)
WR Darius Slayton - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 7)
G Jon Runyan Jr. - Signed, 2-year contract extension (September 7)
QB Jameis Winston - Signed, 2-year contract extension (September 7)
LB Malik Harrison - Practice Squad Veteran (September 3)
DL Ben Barten - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 3)
OL Geno VanDeMark - Practice Squad (September 2)
DB JT Woods - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 2)
OL Kingsley Eguakun - Practice Squad (September 1)
WR Charlie Jones - Practice Squad Veteran (September 1)
OL Darian Kinnard - Practice Squad Veteran (September 1)
DB Elijah Jones - Practice Squad Exception (September 1)
DL Ben Barten, WR Dalen Cambre, FB Grant Finley, OLB Trace Ford, DB Raheem Layne, LB Chandler Martin, OL Ryan Schernecke - Practice Squad (August 31)
WR Braxton Berrios, WR Jalin Hyatt, DL Josh Tupou - Practice Squad Veteran (August 31)
QB Jake Haener, DB J.T. Woods - Practice Squad Exception (August 31)
OL Jarrod Gray - International Practice Player Signing (August 31)
CB Korie Black - Reserve/Injured / Designated for Return (August 30)
CB Art Green, K Ben Sauls - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 30)
DL Anquin Barnes Jr., DL Ben Barten, S Beau Brade, WR Dalen Cambre, FB Grant Finley, OLB Trace Ford, WR Xavier Gipson, RB Eric Gray, OL Jarrod Gray, QB Jake Haener, WR Jalin Hyatt, OL Jake Kubas, LB Chandler Martin, LB Darius Muasau, OLB Caleb Murphy, DL Zacch Pickens, OL Ryan Schernecke, S J.T. Woods - Waived, No Recall (August 30)
QB Brandon Allen, WR Braxton Berrios, TE Tanner Conner, DL Marlon Davidson, OLB Khalid Kareem, S Raheem Layne, OL Evan Neal, OL Lucas Patrick, DL Josh Tupou - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 30)
RB Damon Bankston, LB Anfernee Orji, WR Kobe Prentice - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
CB Ugo Amadi, TE Josiah Deguara, DL Leki Fotu, WR Isaiah Hodgins, OL Brenden Jaimes - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Calvin Austin III - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Traded (to KC) for 2028 Seventh Round Pick (August 26)
TE Josiah Deguara - Free Agent Signing (August 26)
WR Kobe Prentice - Free Agent Signing (August 26)
WR Ryan Miller - Waived, No Recall (August 24)
DL Ben Barten - Claimed (off waivers from NYJ) (August 19)
OL Daniel Faalele - Traded (to JAX) for 2027 Sixth Round Pick (August 18)
RB Najee Harris - Free Agent Signing (August 18)
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 18)
QB Jake Haener - Free Agent Signing (August 17)
LB Chandler Martin - Free Agent Signing (August 17)
RB Dante Miller - Waived/Injured (August 17)
DB Sam Webb - Reserve/Retired (August 16)
DB Ugo Amadi - Free Agent Signing (August 13)
DB Sam Webb - Free Agent Signing (August 13)
CB David Long Jr. - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 13)
CB DJ James - Waived/Injured (August 13)
S JT Woods - Free Agent Signing (August 10)
DL Sam Roberts - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 10)
OL Brenden Jaimes - Free Agent Signing (August 8)
CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse - Waived/Injured (August 7)
FB Grant Finley - Free Agent Signing (August 6)
TE Tyler Moore - Waived, No Recall (August 6)
DB David Long Jr. - Free Agent Signing (August 5)
DB D.J. James - Free Agent Signing (August 5)
DL Roy Robertson-Harris - Reserve/Injured (August 5)
WR Beaux Collins - Waived/Injured (August 5)
LB Anfernee Orji - Free Agent Signing (July 30)
DL Ben Barten - Waived, No Recall (July 30)
TE Thomas Fidone II - Passed Physical (July 28)
DL Sam Roberts - Passed Physical (July 28)
DL Marlon Davidson - Free Agent Signing (July 28)
TE Tyler Moore - Free Agent Signing (July 28)
DL C.J. Ravenell - Waived, Non-Football Injury (July 25)
LB Cam Jones - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DL C.J. Ravenell - Claimed (off waivers from TEN) (July 7)
CB Rico Payton - Waived/Injured (July 7)
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - Free Agent Signing (June 2)
K Jason Sanders - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (June 2)
WR Odell Beckham Jr. - Free Agent Signing (June 1)
WR Braxton Berrios - Free Agent Signing (June 1)
OL Jarrod Gray - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (June 1)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Reserve/Injured (June 1)
LS Zach Triner - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (June 1)
LB Arvell Reese - Selection List Signing (May 29)
OL Francis Mauigoa - Selection List Signing (May 27)
DL Josh Tupou - Free Agent Signing (May 27)
T Reid Holskey - Waived, No Recall (May 27)
OLB Khalid Kareem - Free Agent Signing (May 14)
CB Thaddeus Dixon - Reserve/Injured (May 14)
CB Colton Hood - Selection List Signing (May 12)
RB Damon Bankston - Free Agent Signing (May 8)
WR Malachi Fields - Selection List Signing (May 7)
DL Bobby Jamison-Travis - Selection List Signing (May 7)
OL J.C. Davis - Selection List Signing (May 7)
LB Jack Kelly - Selection List Signing (May 7)
DT Anquin Barnes, DL Ben Barten, CB Thaddeus Dixon, LS Ben Mann, OL Ryan Schernecke, K Dominic Zvada - Free Agent Signing (May 7)
LB Swayze Bozeman - Waived, No Recall (May 7)
DL Elijah Chatman - Waived, No Recall (May 7)
WR Courtney Jackson - Waived, No Recall (May 7)
DL Marlon Tuipulotu - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (May 7)
DL DJ Reader - Free Agent Signing (May 6)
DL Zacch Pickens - Claimed off Waivers from KC (May 5)
DL Leki Fotu - Free Agent Signing (April 30)
DL Shelby Harris - Free Agent Signing (April 30)
LB DeMarvin Leal - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (April 25)
LB Jack Kelly - Selected in the 6th Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 193 overall) (April 25)
OL J.C. Davis - Selected in the 6th Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 192 overall) (April 25)
DL Bobby Jamison-Travis - Selected in the 6th Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 186 overall) (April 25)
WR Malachi Fields - Selected in the 3rd Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 74 overall) (April 24)
CB Colton Hood - Selected in the 2nd Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 37 overall) (April 24)
OL Francis Mauigoa - Selected in the 1st Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 10 overall) (April 23)
LB Arvell Reese - Selected in the 1st Round of 2026 NFL Draft (No. 5 overall) (April 23)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Traded (to CIN) for 2026 First Round Pick (No. 10 overall) (April 19)
QB Brandon Allen - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 13)
OL Daniel Faalele - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
WR Ryan Miller - Exclusive Rights Signing (April 7)
OL Lucas Patrick - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 6)
WR Da'Quan Felton, DB Patrick McMorris, DB T.J. Moore, DB Myles Purchase - Waived, No Recall (April 6)
K Graham Gano - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 30)
LB Cam Jones - Free Agent Signing (March 25)
LS Zach Triner - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
DL Sam Roberts - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
DB Elijah Campbell - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 20)
OL Joshua Ezeudu - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
WR Darnell Mooney - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
S Jason Pinnock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Calvin Austin III - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Zaire Barnes - Free Agent Signing (March 14)
P Jordan Stout - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 13)
CB Greg Newsome II - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 13)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 12)
S Ar'Darius Washington - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 12)
CB Art Green - Re-signed (March 12)
TE Isaiah Likely - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 12)
FB Patrick Ricard - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 12)
LB Tremaine Edmunds - Free Agent Signing (March 12)
T Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 12)
K Jason Sanders - Free Agent Signing (March 11)
Chris Board - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 11)
P Jamie Gillan - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 11)
OL Evan Neal - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 11)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 11)
LB Micah McFadden - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 11)
OLB Caleb Murphy - Re-signed (March 10)
S Anthony Johnson - Waived, No Recall (March 10)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Re-signed (March 6)
T James Hudson III - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 6)
LB Bobby Okereke - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
WR Courtney Jackson - Free Agent Signing (February 13)
LB DeMarvin Leal - Reserve/Future (January 22)
DT Marlon Tuipulotu - Reserve/Future (January 13)
G Jake Kubas - Reserve/Future (January 7)
LB Swayze Bozeman - Reserve/Future (January 5)
TE Tanner Conner - Reserve/Future (January 5)
OLB Trace Ford - Reserve/Future (January 5)
T Reid Holskey - Reserve/Future (January 5)
S Patrick McMorris - Reserve/Future (January 5)
CB Myles Purchase - Reserve/Future (January 5)
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