Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a left ankle injury and did not return to the game. Andy Nelson via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux in walking boot after suffering injury in season opener against Fresno State

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Sep 4, 2021 5:34 PM ET

Oregon defensive end and top NFL prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a left ankle injury during the first half of Saturday's preseason opener against Fresno State and did not return to the game.

After halftime, Thibodeaux rejoined his teammates on the sideline and was seen in a walking boot.

Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux is wearing a walking boot on the sidelines

#3 player in the 2022 Draft class pic.twitter.com/wwHeUDIN0U
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 4, 2021

Thibodeaux entered the season as a likely top-five pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and a preseason All-American. A former five-star recruit, the 20-year-old had three sacks, 42 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in seven games a sophomore last season.

It's unclear if Thibodeaux suffered a serious injury and if he'll be out for an extended period of time. If he is sidelined for a while, it's unclear how it will affect his draft stock.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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