Brian Burns is the second New York Giant to be ruled out for the season after quarterback Jaxson Dart required knee surgery, with the pass rusher suffering an ACL tear
Brian Burns has joined Jaxson Dart on the season-ending injury list
Brian Burns has joined Jaxson Dart on the season-ending injury list(Image: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The New York Giants announced that pass rusher Brian Burns will undergo season-ending surgery just days after losing quarterback Jaxson Dart for the remainder of the campaign.
The Giants have lost their star pass rusher and franchise quarterback in the first three weeks of the NFL season, handing head coach John Harbaugh a disastrous task in his first year. Dart was injured in Week 2 and has since undergone meniscus repair surgery.
With Jameis Winston starting his first game of the season, the Giants managed to improve to 2-1 with a victory over the Tennessee Titans. However, it came at a cost: Burns is now done for the season.
Harbaugh confirmed on Monday that Burns had torn his ACL and will have season-ending surgery. Burns suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 12-7 win over the Titans, after Austin Schlottmann went to block him in the chest.
Burns instantly grabbed his right leg and limped off the field before heading to the locker room with assistance. The injury took away from a gritty performance by the Giants, who have started the season well despite the unfortunate injuries.
After the game, Harbaugh admitted that Burns would need to undergo an MRI, and had a similar tone to when Dart's injury was uncertain. "There is some hope there, but we won't know until we see the MRI," Harbaugh said.
Burns tore his ACL in the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory
Burns tore his ACL in the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Burns was already nursing an injury when heading into Week 3, as a low ankle sprain kept him out of practice. Burns hasn't missed a game since the 2020 season, and was eager to keep the run going by sitting out of practice before playing on Sunday.
The pass rusher has 71 sacks in his eight-year NFL career, and ranked second with 16.5 last season. Burns will now finish this season with zero, after recording at least 7.5 in each season as a professional.
The Giants only have one sack through three weeks, and will need to step up to cover for Burns. The pass rusher has been integral to the Giants since he arrived in a 2024 trade from the Carolina Panthers, which was followed by a five-year, $150 million contract.
Burns previously represented the Carolina Panthers before an ambitious trade
Burns previously represented the Carolina Panthers before an ambitious trade(Image: Getty Images)
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It remains to be seen how the Giants will handle the exposed defense, but the organization has already taken action in the quarterback room. With Dart out and Winston now leading the Giants, the organization wasn't comfortable with the backup options.
Jake Haener was waived by the team, who then traded for Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy. The Giants sent just a fifth-round pick to secure the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
McCarthy's stock was high after a stunning run with Michigan, which was coached by Harbaugh's brother, Jim. He was picked by the Vikings but sat out his rookie season with an injury, while Sam Darnold had a breakout year.
The Vikings remained loyal to McCarthy when he returned, but injuries once again plagued his 2025 season, and the organization added Kyler Murray during the offseason. McCarthy will now back up Winston, but has been given a career lifeline.