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Kayvon Thibodeaux is aiming to break the Giants’ rookie sack record this year, but he may have to do it in fewer than 17 games. The first-round draft pick left Sunday night’s preseason win over the Bengals with a knee injury, and although he waved off the medical cart and walked off the field under his own steam, he could be in danger of missing the Giants’ regular season opener. Thibodeaux downplayed his injury after the game, saying he was “fine” but battling an MCL sprain that could sideline him for three to four weeks, as confirmed by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
The Oregon star, who finished fifth overall this year, recorded a lone tackle prior to elimination from Sunday’s game, in which he fired a shot to the knee while grappling with Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss. After his check-up in the medical tent, Thibodeaux appeared to be in good spirits on the sidelines, joking with his team-mates and staying at the club rather than going to the dressing room. It’s likely the Giants ruled him out as a precaution as the regular season opener on Sept. 11 is fast approaching.
Coach Brian Daboll said after Sunday’s game that Thibodeaux would undergo further knee testing on Monday. The tests found the linebacker’s ACL and meniscus are intact, according to ESPN, but he could need up to a month of recovery time.
On Daboll’s reaction to the injury, he said: “I think it’s a fear at all times. These players work as hard as they can to try to be as good as they can and every time you see someone on the pitch, no matter how they got here, it’s always hard to see as a coach, like a guy goes down.”
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Thibodeaux is expected to play a key role in the Giants’ defense, now under the direction of Don “Wink” Martindale. He entered the preseason listed as a starting outside linebacker over 2021 runner-up Azeez Ojulari.
In the event Thibodeaux is unable to start in time for Week 1, New York’s other pass rushers include Oshane Ximines, Jihad Ward, Quincy Roche and Elerson Smith.