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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Prince J. Grimes

Giants reportedly hopeful Kayvon Thibodeaux is ready for opener after suffering knee injury on low block

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.

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?

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.

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