Kayvon Thibodeaux’s Shoulder Injury Worsens as Giants Face a Tough Decision
New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is facing a potentially challenging situation as he trends toward missing his third consecutive game due to a shoulder injury. The team’s interim head coach, Mike Kafka, confirmed Thibodeaux was absent from Saturday’s practice — a notable absence, as he was the only player among the Giants’ injured roster to sit out.
Uncertainty Surrounds Thibodeaux’s Status
Before practice, Kafka expressed hesitance in determining whether it might be necessary to shut down Thibodeaux for an extended period. “I think it’s too soon to tell,” he stated. “He’s working his tail off to get back and get better, and our doctors are taking care of him.” Kafka highlighted Thibodeaux’s commitment, noting, “He’s attacking—I see him in the building getting rehab. So, he’s working his tail off to get back and better for us.”
Despite not having eye-popping statistics this season, Thibodeaux has been a solid contributor when healthy. Through 10 games, he has recorded 2.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, 25 tackles, and five tackles for loss. His impact has been particularly felt in run defense, where he boasts an impressive 80.7 grade, the highest among the Giants’ defensive players. Additionally, his 15 stops rank second on the team, trailing only inside linebacker Bobby Okereke’s 21.
Other Injury Updates
In a bit of good news for the Giants, interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence made a limited return to practice after missing the previous two days. Lawrence has been managing an elbow injury that previously cut his last season short. Kafka indicated that it was premature to confirm Lawrence’s availability for Monday’s game, emphasizing the need for ongoing evaluations after each practice leading up to gameday.
Meanwhile, cornerback Paulson Adebo is also showing signs of improvement as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in Week 6 against Denver. Kafka noted, “He looked good, had a good day yesterday. So, we’ll continue to get some work today, and then we’ll make a call after how today works out.”
As the Giants navigate these injury concerns, all eyes will be on the latest participation reports ahead of their upcoming matchup. The team’s depth and resilience will be put to the test as they strive to maintain competitiveness in a challenging season.
