The New York Giants could be without one of their top defensive starters for a significant amount of time.
Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux underwent wrist surgery on Wednesday and is considered week-to-week, per head coach Brian Daboll who told reporters he's "encouraged" he'll recover quickly.
Kayvon Thibodeaux underwent wrist surgery today and is week-to-week pic.twitter.com/eagPJYJwjy
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 9, 2024
Daboll also revealed Thibodeaux played through the apparent injury during Sunday's 29-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks, but the team "had him checked out" when it returned home. Thibodeaux recorded a half-sack and two total tackles in the victory.
Fourth-year linebacker Azeez Ojulari is expected to fill in for Thibodeaux going forward. The second-round pick in 2021 has one sack and 10 total tackles so far this season.
Defensive star Dexter Lawrence II expressed confidence in Ojulari, saying he's not "a dropoff" and is "capable of holding his own."
"I don't think Azeez is a dropoff. I think he's very capable of holding his own"
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 9, 2024
Dexter Lawrence talks about Kayvon Thibodeaux's injury and Azeez Ojulari filling his void in the pass rush: pic.twitter.com/scfMgmrEVd
New York's defense leads the NFL in sacks so far this year with 22 and will now face a Cincinnati Bengals offensive line that has only given up 11 sacks for 55 yards lost this season, 22nd and 20th in the league, respectively.
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