The New York Giants have been crushed by injuries early in the 2026 season. New York is now without Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns just three weeks into the campaign. New injury details make the decision to play Burns in Week 3 look like a huge mistake.

Burns tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee in addition to his torn ACL, per The Athletic's Dan Duggan.

The veteran pass rusher suffered the injury during the fourth quarter during New York's Week 3 victory against Tennessee. Giants head coach John Harbaugh announced on Monday that Burns has torn his ACL. But this new reporting from The Athletic makes it clear that the injury is more severe.

This is a tough blow for Burns, who has been an iron man throughout his NFL career. In fact, he only missed three games during his first seven seasons in the league.

Duggan noted that recovery from ACL and meniscus surgery can take from nine months up to a full year. Malik Nabers was able to play in Week 1 after recovering from an ACL injury. So there is some hope that Burns could play in Week 1 next season.

This whole saga makes Harbaugh's decision to gamble with Burns' health look foolish in retrospect.

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It all started back in Week 2 while New York was getting throttled by Los Angeles following Jaxson Dart's MCL injury. The Giants were down big in the fourth quarter, but they still kept many of their defensive starters on the field.

Unfortunately, Burns suffered an injury late in the fourth quarter while the game was already over. That created questions right away about why Burns was still in the game at all.

Burns did not practice at all throughout the next week but still suited up to play against the Titans. Now that decision looks foolish as Burns' season is now over. It also means Burns must battle back from a significant injury as he inches closer to 30 years old.

Hopefully Burns can make a full recovery and get back to rushing the passer in 2027.

In the meantime, the Giants must get ready to host the Cardinals in Week 4.