May 13, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) speaks to the media during rookie camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux out three to four weeks with MCL sprain

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/22/22

Fans of the New York Giants were left holding their breaths when rookie pass rusher and fifth overall draft selection Kayvon Thibodeaux went down with a knee injury.

Thibodeaux was the victim of a legal low block from Cincinnati Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss during Sunday's preseason game that the Giants won 25-22 to improve to 2-0 over the month's exhibition contests:

This is ridiculous, dangerous and cowardly! Straight cowardly. Prayers up for Kayvon Thibodeaux.

pic.twitter.com/v1aIKuJAbC
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 22, 2022

While many understandably feared the worst, Thibodeaux claimed after the game that he was feeling "alright" and had avoided a serious setback:

Kayvon Thibodeaux: “I’m good. … We’re good. Good news.”

Would be collective sigh of relief for Giants. pic.twitter.com/1824Ia7FFK
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 22, 2022

It appears that is the case.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Thibodeaux has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL that will keep him sidelined for approximately three-to-four weeks. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Kevin Patra) added that Thibodeaux's ACL is intact.

The Giants open the regular season at the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 11. Logic suggests the Giants will proceed with caution regarding the 21-year-old who is expected to be a defensive starter and mainstay directly out of the gates and will get him ready to potentially make his official NFL debut in a home game versus the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 18.

New York hosts the division-rival Dallas Cowboys for a "Monday Night Football" showdown on Sept. 26.

While Moss' hit on Thibodeaux has been labeled "dirty" by many, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed out that "cut blocking" is "perfectly legal" in this situation, meaning the tight end shouldn't be fined or suspended following Sunday's action.

"Moss should have aimed higher, toward the hips," Florio wrote. "He still could have eliminated Thibodeaux from the play without potentially blowing out his knee."

Thibodeaux notched 19 sacks in 30 total games while with the Oregon Ducks. He logged 15 snaps and one tackle against the Bengals before his injury.

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