New York Giants star pass-rusher Brian Burns is “likely to miss some time” thanks to an ankle injury, even though he won’t need surgery for it. This news just dropped, and man, it’s a tough blow for a Giants team already feeling the pain after a rough Week 2.
Week 2 Woes: Ankle Sprain and a Boot
Burns took the hit during the Giants’ 28-6 beatdown from the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed the diagnosis: a low ankle sprain, per SNY’s Connor Hughes. And get this, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan saw the dude rocking a boot on his foot since that loss. You never want to see a star pass-rusher in a boot, especially this early in the season. It just spells trouble for their defensive front.
The hits kept coming for the Giants in that Rams game, too. Quarterback Jaxson Dart got dinged up with MCL, PCL, *and* meniscus damage, which means season-ending surgery. That’s brutal! Wide receiver Malik Nabers picked up a shoulder injury, and left tackle Andrew Thomas got a groin injury. Good news on those two, though: both were out at practice on Wednesday, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Still, losing Burns, even without surgery, is a significant blow when you’re already patching up other holes.
The Beast Burns: Stats That Matter
This isn’t just some rotational player getting hurt. Brian Burns wrapped up the 2025 campaign ranked *second in the entire NFL* with a massive 16.5 sacks! Even though he hasn’t gotten a full sack yet through two games this year, he’s still been a wrecking ball in opposing backfields, making his presence felt. The guy is seriously elite. According to ESPN, Burns is one of just three edge-rushers to rank in the top 10 for both pass-rush win rate *and* run-stop win rate. That’s a rare combo right there. He’s also recorded four tackles and one quarterback hit to kick off the 2026 season. Now, the Giants will have to rely on players like Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux to step up and try to fill that void. That’s a huge ask, man.
The Giants are set to face the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. The Titans have already given up five sacks through two weeks this season, so it would have been a prime spot for Burns to feast. It makes you wonder how other teams across the league are handling these early season injury issues. For our own Hawks, word is our QB Sam Darnold could be back on the field for Week 3. Hopefully, our guys stay healthy and keep making noise on the field!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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