New York Giants star pass rusher Brian Burns suffered a left ankle injury late in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, creating immediate concern after he needed help leaving the field.
The early diagnosis, however, was considerably better than the injury initially appeared. Giants coach John Harbaugh said Burns suffered a low ankle sprain, and Burns said afterward that he had been told the injury was not serious.
There is not yet an official timetable for Burns’ return. His status for the Giants’ Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans will depend largely on how quickly the pain, swelling and stiffness in the ankle improve during a short week.
What Is Brian Burns’ Injury?
Brian Burns has been diagnosed with a low ankle sprain in his left ankle.
The Giants confirmed the diagnosis after their 28-6 loss to the Rams on Monday, September 21, 2026. Head coach John Harbaugh listed Burns among several Giants players who were injured during the game and specifically identified Burns’ injury as a low ankle sprain. [Giants]
Burns also confirmed the diagnosis while speaking to reporters after the game. He said the ankle was becoming stiff but expressed relief after learning the injury was apparently not severe. [NBC Sports]
The distinction between a low ankle sprain and a high ankle sprain is important because high ankle sprains involve the syndesmotic ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula and generally require a more complicated recovery. [Hospital for Special Surgery]
How Did Brian Burns Hurt His Ankle?
Burns was injured late in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ loss to Los Angeles.
With approximately six minutes remaining, Rams center Coleman Shelton inadvertently rolled onto Burns’ left ankle while Burns was involved in the play. Burns’ ankle became trapped underneath the offensive lineman as he went to the ground. [NBC Sports]
Burns was visibly in pain and needed assistance from two members of the Giants’ training staff to get off the field.
The appearance of the injury initially raised fears that Burns could have suffered a significant ankle injury. The postgame diagnosis of a low ankle sprain was therefore encouraging for both Burns and the Giants.
What Is a Low Ankle Sprain?
A low ankle sprain is the more common form of ankle sprain and typically involves ligaments around the outside of the ankle, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament, or ATFL.
It commonly occurs when the foot rolls or twists beyond its normal range of motion, stretching or tearing one or more supporting ligaments.
This is different from a high ankle sprain, which involves ligaments located above the ankle joint between the tibia and fibula. High ankle sprains frequently take longer to recover from because those ligaments are subjected to significant forces when an athlete runs, cuts and changes direction. [Hospital for Special Surgery]
For an NFL edge rusher such as Burns, the ankle is particularly important because rushing the passer requires explosive acceleration, bending around offensive tackles and pushing off the foot while changing direction.
How Serious Is Brian Burns’ Ankle Sprain?
The available information suggests that Burns avoided the most concerning possibilities, but the Giants have not announced the grade of the sprain or provided an official recovery timetable.
Burns himself was encouraged by the initial diagnosis.
He told reporters that learning it was not considered serious eased his concerns and said he had dealt with similar ankle injuries previously. Burns said his immediate priority would be controlling the swelling and inflammation. [NBC Sports]
Burns said he planned to begin treating the ankle immediately with ice, compression and elevation while the Giants traveled home from Los Angeles.
Those are common early measures for managing ankle sprains, although an NFL player’s actual rehabilitation program will be determined by the team’s medical and athletic-training staffs.
How Long Will Brian Burns Be Out?
There is currently no official timetable for Brian Burns’ return.
That is the most important point when discussing his recovery. A low ankle sprain can range from relatively minor ligament stretching to a more substantial partial tear, meaning recovery times vary considerably depending on the severity of the injury.
Mass General’s rehabilitation guidance for lateral ankle sprains emphasizes that recovery timelines depend on factors including the severity of the injury, the amount of ankle instability, the number of ligaments involved and the athlete’s individual response to rehabilitation. [Mass General Brigham]
Because the Giants have not announced the grade of Burns’ sprain, assigning him a specific number of days or weeks on the sidelines would be speculation.
His ability to practice, change direction, push off the injured foot and play without excessive pain or instability will be more important indicators than a generic ankle-sprain recovery estimate.
Will Brian Burns Play Against the Tennessee Titans?
Burns’ availability for the Giants’ Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans is currently uncertain.
New York hosts Tennessee at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, September 27 at 1 p.m. ET. Because Burns was injured on Monday Night Football, the Giants have less recovery time than they would following a normal Sunday game. [Giants]
The encouraging signs are that Burns has described the injury as not serious and that the initial diagnosis is a low rather than high ankle sprain.
The major issue is the short turnaround.
The most useful updates should come when the Giants release their practice participation and injury reports later in the week. Whether Burns can practice — and whether he is limited or a full participant — should provide a clearer indication of his chances of playing against Tennessee.
Why Is Brian Burns’ Injury Important for the Giants?
Burns is one of the most important players on the New York defense and one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
He produced a career-best season in 2025, recording:
- 16.5 sacks
- 31 quarterback hits
- 22 tackles for loss
- 3 forced fumbles
- 17 starts
His 16.5 sacks tied Jason Pierre-Paul’s 2011 total for the fourth-highest single-season mark in Giants history. Burns was named a second-team Associated Press All-Pro and selected to his third career Pro Bowl. [Giants]
Burns was also voted No. 14 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list, making him the highest-ranked Giants defensive player in the history of the player-voted ranking. [Giants]
His combination of speed, length and pass-rush technique forces opposing offenses to account for him on nearly every passing down.
Who Would Replace Brian Burns If He Cannot Play?
The Giants would likely have to distribute Burns’ snaps among their other edge defenders rather than expect one player to replace his production.
New York has other notable pass rushers, including Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but Burns’ absence would allow opposing offenses to devote additional protection toward those players.
That makes Burns’ health especially important even if the injury ultimately proves to be short-term.
Did Brian Burns Suffer a High Ankle Sprain?
No. The Giants have identified Burns’ injury as a low ankle sprain.
That is significant because a high ankle sprain involves the syndesmosis — the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula above the ankle — and often requires a longer recovery than the more common low or lateral ankle sprain. [Hospital for Special Surgery]
Did Brian Burns Break His Ankle?
There has been no indication that Burns suffered a broken ankle.
The diagnosis announced after the game was a low ankle sprain. A sprain involves damage to ligaments rather than a fracture of the bone.
What Did Brian Burns Say About His Injury?
Burns expressed relief after receiving the initial diagnosis.
He said the ankle was stiffening after the game but that learning the injury was apparently not serious had eased his concerns. He also said he had experienced ankle sprains before and understood that reducing swelling and inflammation would be an important part of the early recovery process. [NBC Sports]
Brian Burns Injury Timeline
- September 21, 2026: Burns injures his left ankle late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams.
- September 21, 2026: Burns needs assistance leaving the field and does not return.
- September 21-22, 2026: Giants coach John Harbaugh identifies the injury as a low ankle sprain. [Giants]
- September 22, 2026: Burns says the diagnosis eased his concerns and describes the injury as not serious while beginning treatment for swelling and inflammation. [NBC Sports]
- September 27, 2026: The Giants are scheduled to host the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. Burns’ availability remains to be determined. [Giants]
Brian Burns Ankle Injury FAQ
What happened to Brian Burns?
Burns injured his left ankle late in the Giants’ Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams when an offensive lineman rolled onto the ankle during a play.
What is Brian Burns’ diagnosis?
Burns has been diagnosed with a low ankle sprain.
Which ankle did Brian Burns injure?
Burns injured his left ankle.
Does Brian Burns have a high ankle sprain?
No. The Giants said Burns suffered a low ankle sprain.
How long will Brian Burns be out?
The Giants have not announced an official recovery timetable. The severity or grade of the sprain has also not been publicly announced.
Will Brian Burns play in Week 3?
His status for the September 27 game against the Tennessee Titans remains uncertain. Practice participation and the Giants’ official injury reports later in the week should provide more information.
Is Brian Burns’ injury season-ending?
There is currently no indication that Burns suffered a season-ending injury. Both the low-ankle-sprain diagnosis and Burns’ own postgame comments were encouraging.
Why is Brian Burns so important to the Giants?
Burns is New York’s premier edge rusher. He recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2025, earned second-team All-Pro honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl. [Giants]
Last updated: September 22, 2026. This page will need to be updated when the Giants announce Burns’ practice status, official Week 3 injury designation or a more specific return timetable.
