Giants first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux leaves game with concerning knee injury

New York Giants rookie defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux left the team’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a concerning knee injury.

The New York Giants felt hope following the first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, as they used their two selections on Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal. That very fanbase received quite the scare after the former left the team’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a concerning injury.

In the second quarter, Thibodeaux worked his way around the offensive line to get to the quarterback. However, he was met by Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss, who made a low and controversial cut block to his right leg, causing his knee to bend awkwardly.

Thibodeaux lay on the field grabbing his knee and the cart was brought out by the team. The rookie waved off the cart and walked to the blue medical tent on the sidelines. From there, cameras caught Thibodeaux walking and joking with his teammates on the sideline before heading to the locker room.

Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux leaves preseason game with knee injury

Shortly after Thibodeaux walked to the locker room, the team ruled him out for the remainder of the game due to the knee injury.

If Giants fans weren’t already breathing a sigh of relief after seeing Thibodeaux joking around on the sidelines, there is some good news regarding the status of the fifth-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, there is “initial optimism” that Thibodeaux avoided a major knee injury, despite the fact that he was ruled out of the game quickly.

Thibodeaux was one of the highly touted prospects in this year’s NFL Draft, where he was once considered to be the top pick. The Giants have long-needed a dominant edge rusher, and Thibodeaux certainly fit the bill, especially when looking at his play with the Oregon Ducks.

While there is initial belief that Thibodeaux avoided a serious injury, the team and the fans will be waiting to see what further testing reveals.