The New York Giants will host the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday afternoon in Week 3, where they will look to rebound from an ugly and damaging loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. However, it remains unclear if linebacker Brian Burns will take the field.
Burns suffered an ankle sprain in the Week 2 defeat and did not participate in any of the team's three practices this week.
New York will enter the game limping, much like Burns. The injured reserve (IR) list features eight players, including several valued starters, such as quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Calvin Austin III, and cornerback Paulson Adebo. Dart and Austin are out for the season.
Brian Burns injury update
Burns left Monday's game against the Rams
with what was initially deemed a low-ankle sprain. He missed all three practices this week, but was spotted working with trainers along the sideline on Friday.
However, the specifics of Burns' injury are murky. He told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News that his injury was "different" than what the team initially thought it was. He provided no additional details.
Some small Giants injury notes:
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) September 25, 2026
Brian Burns didn’t stop for a full interview but admitted his injury is “different” than what he initially thought it was
Arvell Reese said he missed those few plays in Monday’s first half because he got hit in the rib and needed a quick break…
Head coach John Harbaugh also offered few details, simply calling Burns "day-to-day" and expressing faith in the team's depth.
"We are definitely blessed with depth at that position for sure. 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," he told reporters.
Will Brian Burns play vs. Titans?
Despite missing all three practices this week, the Giants curiously listed Burns as "questionable" on the final injury report. Generally, players who do not participate in practice on at least a limited basis do not suit up on Sunday. The fact that it's a short week doesn't help Burns' chances.
However, Burns is a tough player and spent 2025 playing through a variety of injuries, which he revealed at the end of the season. Could he do it again on Sunday? It's unlikely, but never say never when it comes to the veteran edge rusher.
Burns will likely test his ankle pre-game, and the team will then decide his game status.
Who would replace Brian Burns in the lineup?
If Burns is inactive on Sunday, linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux will step back into the starting role and likely see a full workload. Despite Harbaugh raving about the team's depth, the Giants have little along the edge.
Abdul Carter will start on one side, Thibodeaux on the other, and that's about it. The Giants elevated Malik Harrison from the practice squad, and it would be his job to spell the starting two as necessary. Rookie inside linebacker Arvell Reese could also pitch in when needed.
"(Expletive), you gotta keep playing, man," Thibodeaux told the New York Daily News. "It’s a long season. I don’t think we’re gonna be let down. We got a great opportunity for a lot of guys to step up and re-prove themselves in this league, including myself.”
Thibodeaux also believes that staying at one position all game could help unlock his potential.
"I always compare it to chess: If you can set a game up, you definitely probably are gonna have more success going against one guy than multiple guys within one game setting," he said.
Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen expects Thibs to be "ready" for Sunday's game and to "play great."
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Will New York Giants LB Brian Burns play vs. Tennessee Titans?
