Giants’ injury woes worsen as Brian Burns set to miss time
Brian Burns joined the Giants in 2024 and since then has started every game — 36 straight — at his outside linebacker spot. He made 17 starts in 2024, 17 more in 2025 and started the first two games this season.
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That streak is in serious danger of ending. Burns is dealing with a sprained ankle from the 28-6 loss to the Rams and is expected to miss time. He did not practice Wednesday and it looks as if the Giants’ best player last season — a career-high 16.5 sacks — will be unavailable for Sunday’s game against the Titans.
The Giants do have options behind Burns. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a rotational piece and is likely to start in place of Burns, joining Abdul Carter as the edge rushers. Thibodeaux, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has not started this season and has been on the field for 59 of the 120 snaps on defense, often moving inside as an interior pass rusher, which is not his forte. Thibodeaux is in the final year of his rookie contract and getting a few starts could help him boost his production. His greatest impact thus far was chasing Dak Prescott out of the pocket in the opener, pressure that led to an errant pass and an interception for safety Jevon Holland.
“We are definitely blessed with depth at that position for sure,” head coach John Harbaugh said, referring to Thibodeaux. “So, Brian’s day to day right now, we’ll see how it goes for the game. But if he can’t go, then we are very confident in the guys that we have.”
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Missing games is not something Burns is accustomed to doing. He was also an iron man with the Panthers and has missed only three games in his eight-year career. Burns was not off to a fast start this season, with only four tackles, one quarterback hit and no sacks in the first two games.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas was forced out on the final offensive series Monday night with a groin injury. He was on the field for the walk-through portion of practice, working with the starting offensive line. WR Malik Nabers, whose right shoulder popped out against the Rams — he missed only two snaps as he popped the shoulder back in place — was, like Thomas, a limited participant, as were DL Shelby Harris (toe) and S Tyler Nubin (calf).
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Harbaugh said of Nabers.
CB Deonte Banks (calf) was on the side working with trainers and was also listed as a limited participant, perhaps a small sign of progress. He missed last week’s game and, given how calf injuries usually linger, might have to miss another game. … Former Giants CB Cor’Dale Flott has a quad injury and is listed as questionable for the Titans.
