New York Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux could be ready in time for the team’s season opener after suffering a scary injury in Sunday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Initial tests on his knee revealed an MCL sprain, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
The injury happened when Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss went low to block Thibodeaux on a play some are labeling dirty (more on that in a second). Thibodeaux’s knee appeared to bend in a way it shouldn’t, and the fifth overall pick remained on the ground after the play.
However, Thibodeaux eventually walked off the field on his own to visit the team’s medical tent, declining to ride a cart. He also walked around the team’s sideline without a significant limp. After the game he told reporters he was good.
Kayvon Thibodeaux down after this cut block…. pic.twitter.com/RXbOGCDs8n
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) August 22, 2022
Initial tests revealed that Giants’ DE Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL that is expected to sideline him 3-4 weeks, per source. His ACL and meniscus were intact.
Giants are still hopeful that he will be ready for the regular-season opener vs. the Titans, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2022
According to Schefter, Thibodeaux will miss three to four weeks. The early side of that timeline places his return right around the team’s Sept. 11 opener in Tennessee.
That’s good news for bettors of Thibodeaux to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. His odds remain the second-shortest behind Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, though they have lengthened in recent weeks. Once tied with Hutchinson at +450, Thibodeaux has since moved to +700 at Tipico Sportsbook. Hutchinson is at +425.
Now, was the play dirty, as some have called it?
Not a dirty play. Thankfully 🙏🏿, early reports say he may have avoided a serious injury. He wasn’t hit from behind or from the side. He needs to do a better job of taking on this block with his hands. Good teaching moment of how to defeat cut blocks.
— Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese) August 22, 2022
The block warrants some scrutiny after a closer look shows Moss intentionally went for the knees. But it was a legal play, as Giants coach Brian Daboll pointed out after the game. So I would stop short of calling it dirty. You hate to see it happen in preseason action, but when guys are competing for roster spots, they don’t have time to worry about injuries.
Luckily for Thibodeaux and the Giants, it doesn’t appear the play will result in significant time away.