Brian Burns injury update as Giants' star LB feared to have torn ACL

EAST RUTHERFORD - The New York Giants lost their heart on offense and now their soul on defense to devastating knee injuries that will test their mettle and overall talent.

Star outside linebacker Brian Burns is feared to have torn the ACL in his right knee in Sunday's 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans , an individual with knowledge of the situation told NorthJersey.com and The Record on Monday morning.

The Giants were already playing without quarterback Jaxson Dart , who underwent surgery two days earlier to repair MCL and meniscus damage in his left knee.

Burns has proven to be an ironman for the Giants since he was acquired from Carolina in March 2024. He has not missed a game, but that streak of 37 consecutive games is sure to end when the Giants play host to the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday at MetLife Stadium. He registered a career-high 16.5 sacks last season, finishing second to Myles Garrett .

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Burns could not put any pressure on his right leg and needed help off the field and then went straight to the locker room. He was chasing Cam Ward from the blind side, took slight contact from the Titans' left tackle and went down immediately in the fourth quarter.

Seemingly the entire team came off the sideline in support of Burns, who was helped to the sideline by offensive linemen Andrew Thomas and Aaron Stinnie .

Burns was listed as questionable coming in with an ankle injury and played without practicing last week. He played 25 snaps and worked into the rotation with Abdul Carter , Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chauncey Golston mostly in pass rush packages.

What's next for Giants after Brian Burns injury?

Thibodeaux should shift back into a full-time edge role with the Nos. 5 and 3 picks in the 2022 and 2025 NFL Draft (and their jersey numbers) with Abdul Carter. They will need to step up and be more productive.

Without Burns, the Giants could sign veteran Jihad Ward from the Vikings' practice squad - he was seemingly lobbying to come back to Big Blue on social media earlier this year - and keep Chauncey Golston in his role at 5-technique on the defensive line in addition to snaps at outside linebacker.

Ward played well for defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson in Tennessee last season.

The Giants could also consider using second-year pro Trace Ford, who is on the practice squad.

There is no direct replacing what Burns brings to the team on and off the field, however.

Burns played an entire season two years ago on a bad ankle and did not tear his ACL. There's always fear of overcompensation for a variety of injuries, and I'm sure they'll all play the what if game - what if Burns just sat yesterday? - but he's not made like that. Brutal reality of the sport.