WATCH: Rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux Sprains MCL in Preseason vs. Cincinatti Bengals

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Former Oregon Duck Kayvon Thibodeaux knew there would be a lot of hype to live up to when he was selected by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
He had been doing a great job acclimating to the pros, especially after one rep went viral of him dominating fellow rookie Evan Neal. But in Sunday's preseason contest against the Cincinatti Bengals, Thibodeaux went down with an injury.
Rookie tight end Thaddeus Moss pulled on a run play and laid a low cut block that contorted Thibodeaux's leg in a dangerous way.
Kayvon Thibodeaux down after this cut block…. pic.twitter.com/RXbOGCDs8n
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) August 22, 2022
This is ridiculous, dangerous and cowardly! Straight cowardly. Prayers up for Kayvon Thibodeaux.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 22, 2022
pic.twitter.com/v1aIKuJAbC
The Giants sent a cart out for the highly-touted rookie, but Thibodeaux was able to walk off under his own power after immediately going down to the ground and reaching for his knee in pain. He was later seen walking around, laughing and smiling on the sideline after exiting the game, a positive sign that he was in high spirits after getting dinged up.
READ MORE: Oregon targeting USC LB commit Dylan Williams
Head coach Brian Daboll said following the game Sunday that the pass rusher would undergo further tests on Monday. Today, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that Thibodeaux had suffered a sprained MCL, an injury that is expected to make him miss three to four weeks.
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.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2022
Giants are still hopeful that he will be ready for the regular-season opener vs. the Titans, per source.
Fortunately for Thibodeaux and the Giants, his ACL and meniscus were intact after the injury and the team reportedly is still hopeful that he'll be ready for the team's regular season opener against the Titans on September 11. The Giants will have their final preseason game against the New York Jets at Metlife Stadium on August 28.
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Max Torres is the publisher and lead editor of Ducks Digest. He's covered the Oregon football and recruiting beats for four years. He's based out of Long Beach, CA and travels around Southern California and the country covering top high school football prospects.
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