Signs of summer are already showing at New York Giants camp.
During the team’s organized activities (OTAs), the Giants got in a solid round of drills as they continue preparing for training camp. But by the end of practice, the heat seemed to wear on players, sparking a scuffle that eventually turned into a full-blown altercation.
The dust-up, which involved star pass rusher Brian Burns, led to practice ending early.
Per reporter Connor Hughes, Burns ran in from the sideline to take down offensive lineman James Hudson III — a recent offseason addition. Fellow edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux also got involved, locking up with tackle Jermaine Eluemunor before tensions escalated across both sides of the ball. Afterward, Burns addressed the incident.
The only part that frustrated me was cutting practice short,” he said via the Associated Press. “We got most of what we needed done today. But I’ll make it clear to the team — that kind of stuff isn’t what we’re here for. Yeah, a little edge and energy is fine, but the focus needs to stay on football and putting in the work.”
As one of the team’s top defenders — and highest-paid — Burns is also expected to lead by example. His comments showed that leadership.
“Look, it’s a physical game,” he added. “Guys are pushing themselves, the heat is rising, and emotions can flare. But it’s nothing major. We’ve already moved past it.”
In reality, this isn’t a big concern for New York. Training camp fights are fairly normal — whether during joint practices or just hot days. The competitive atmosphere, combined with job pressure and fatigue, can often boil over. But it’s also a sign that players are invested.
“I actually think it’s good in small doses,” Burns explained. “That competitive fire, that mentality — it’s important. But we also have to stay focused and finish practice.”
There’s still plenty of time for the team to come together, and these early skirmishes may actually help build chemistry. For now, it’s just a preseason headline during a quiet stretch — though fans will surely be watching as practices ramp up.
As Burns put it simply: “This is just what brotherhood looks like.”
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