New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) will return for Week 1 against Tennessee. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Pass-rush deficient Giants get good news on rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux

By Dan Walsh | Last updated 8/23/22

New York Giants rookie pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, will miss three to four weeks with an MCL sprain in his right knee, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Thibodeaux suffered the sprain on a much-debated cut block by the Bengals' Thad Moss in a preseason game Sunday.

This is good news for an organization that needs a savior on defense. The Giants have had almost no pass rush for years and want to change the culture from the trenches out. New York's last stud pass-rushers were Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Former NFL lineman Mark Schlereth believes the block on Thibodeaux was legit, although others believe otherwise:

Same game @richeisen @EmmanuelAcho where is the outrage? This split flow…sift the backside is run 100 times a weekend. https://t.co/KAbbPTZ6sC pic.twitter.com/i83dMevPfP
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) August 23, 2022

The injury news gives the downtrodden Giants hope that their star rookie will return for Week 1 against Tennessee.

The team is taking extra precautions with Thibodeaux by sending him for a second evaluation on his knee. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Thibodeaux will visit with Dr. James Andrews, and while "no major surprises are expected," the Giants want to be sure of the initial diagnoses.

Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is out 3-4 weeks with an MCL sprain, will visit with Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion, per source. No major surprises are expected -- second opinions are common practice for many players -- but the player will double-check the damage.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 23, 2022

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