New York Giants rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a knee injury on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but felt confident it wasn’t serious.
Following the game, Thibodeaux told reporters that initial testing provided “good news” and promised that he’d return soon. And to some degree, he was accurate.
“I’m all right. I’m good,” Thibodeaux told reporters as he left MetLife Stadium. “We’re good. Good news.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL and will miss 3-4 weeks but the Giants expect him back for the regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans.
He will not require surgery as his ACL and meniscus are intact. The Giants later confirmed the report.
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
The Giants will open against the Titans in three weeks, so the Giants are on the optimistic side of things. In a glass half empty scenario, Thibodeaux will return against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
Considering how ugly the injury looked, the Giants and Thibodeaux should consider themselves lucky. The fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft is expected to be an integral part of Wink Martindale’s defense, and even eyes breaking Azeez Ojulari’s franchise record for sacks.
