New York Giants rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) missed a Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans and has been limited in practice so far this week. Despite that, he remains optimistic about his chances to play on Sunday.
“We’re getting close. Like I said, trying not to look too far,” Thibodeaux told reporters on Thursday. “But yeah, I’m really confident in this Sunday.
“We’ve been making great gains. Ultimately it will come to how I feel come Friday and Saturday. Everything has been going well and yeah, I’m optimistic about it.”
Based on his overall participation level, it seems less likely Thibodeaux plays against the Carolina Panthers than he’s letting on. He’s also sporting a new knee brace, which is something he’s had to adjust to.
“The brace is different, but it’s not really too different. I think it’s really just, it’s not even really a brace. The brace, you get comfortable with that fast, but I think it’s the unknown. It’s me being confident in that I won’t have that cloud over my head while I’m playing,” he said.
Thibodeaux has taken a few practice snaps during team drills, which is more than his counterpart, Azeez Ojulari, has been able to do. Ojulari is almost certainly out in Week 2, and Thibodeaux will have a better feel about where he is come Saturday.
“Right now, I would say it’s day to day. We’re still growing, but I would say I’m very optimistic. It’s good,” he said. “If I’m on the field, I’ll be 100 percent, regardless of how I feel.”
The Giants could certainly use Thibodeaux on the field, but that may have to wait until a Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
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