John Harbaugh and the New York Giants had a tough night on Monday. They entered their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams with momentum on their side after an impressive 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in their season opener.
The Rams, however, were in dire need of a win after suffering a 27-7 loss to their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, in Week 1. L.A. got its first victory of the campaign on Monday night, beating New York 28-6.
To make matters worse for the Giants, they battled through multiple injuries throughout the contest. They lost star quarterback Jaxson Dart during their opening possession after he took two simultaneous hits. Dart’s knee buckled, and he was forced to exit the game immediately. The second-year QB did not return, and there is now some concern that he may have sprained his MCL.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers also suffered an injury in the first quarter. The Pro Bowl wideout dislocated his right shoulder while reaching for an incomplete pass. Nabers himself popped his shoulder back into place on the sideline. He returned to the game and is now set to undergo precautionary X-rays.
Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns was also a casualty in the game. The three-time Pro Bowler exited in the fourth quarter after Rams center Coleman Shelton inadvertently rolled onto Burns’ ankle. The Giants star had to be assisted off the field and did not return.
Coach Harbaugh, though, had some good news after the game. The former AP Coach of the Year announced that Burns had been diagnosed with a low ankle sprain, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. While this is still a considerable injury, a high ankle sprain would have been far worse.
Burns will undergo tests to determine the extent of the sprain. A Grade 1 sprain generally takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks to heal. Depending on the test results, there could be a chance that Burns will be ready for New York’s next game.
Burns himself downplayed the injury after the game, saying that it’s
“nothing serious.” The Giants LB was reportedly wearing a boot on his left ankle as he left SoFi Stadium and took a golf cart to board the team bus.
Starting left tackle Andrew Thomas also left late in the game with a groin injury.
The beat-up Giants will look to bounce back in Week 3. They return home to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, with kickoff from MetLife Stadium scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
