The Giants' Injury Report Proves the 'Questionable' Tag is Completely Meaningless
Brian Burns is listed as questionable despite missing three straight practices, highlighting the absurdity of NFL injury designations as the Giants prepare for the Titans.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 2 min read
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The NFL injury report has officially lost all meaning. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the New York Giants just listed star edge rusher Brian Burns as questionable for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, despite the fact that he hasn't practiced a single time this week.
Missing three straight days of work and calling yourself questionable to show up on Sunday is a level of delusion we should all aspire to. In the real world, that gets your keycard deactivated. In the NFL, it just means the coaching staff wants to make the opposing offensive coordinator think about it for an extra five minutes.
"Mike Garafolo reported the injury designations, noting Burns' three missed practices."
Burns got his left ankle rolled up late in the fourth quarter of last week's brutal 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He needed help getting off the field and has been nursing a low-ankle sprain ever since. Slapping a questionable tag on a guy who logged zero practice reps is pure sports theater.
The defensive headache does not stop there for New York. Starting cornerback Deonte Banks is nursing a calf issue, and safety Tyler Nubin is also carrying the questionable tag. That is a lot of secondary talent potentially wearing sweatpants this weekend.
For anyone looking at the betting lines, this defensive uncertainty is a massive red flag. If Burns cannot go, the Giants lose their best shot at pressuring the quarterback. A banged-up secondary is the absolute last thing you want behind a toothless pass rush.
The only silver lining for Giants fans is on the offensive side of the ball. Left tackle Andrew Thomas and rookie receiver Malik Nabers are officially good to go, meaning the offense will at least have its best protector and top weapon on the field to try and keep pace.
We will find out exactly how flexible that questionable tag really is when inactives drop 90 minutes before kickoff. Until then, assume Burns is spending his weekend resting that ankle, no matter what the official paperwork says.
Key stats
Key statsBrian Burns missed three consecutive practices this week.
The Giants are coming off a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Deonte Banks is managing a calf injury.
What's next
Final active statuses will be revealed 90 minutes before kickoff against the Titans, determining the true state of the Giants' defense.
