In round 2 of the 2017 NRL season, Burns made his NRL debut for South Sydney against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In round 6 against Penrith, Burns endured a horror night after dropping multiple bombs from Nathan Cleary. Souths went on to win the match 21-20. Burns played the following week but then was left out of the side for eight weeks until managing to be recalled to the starting lineup for Souths round 15 clash against the Gold Coast.