The New York Giants’ season has been defined as much by who has not been available as what has — and the latest injury news surrounding Kayvon Thibodeaux is the clearest example yet.
Thibodeaux was originally expected to miss several weeks with a short-term injury, but has been out since Week 10. While the star edge rusher should return before the season ends, the absence reinforces a season-long problem for the Giants: when they finally get momentum, something — usually health-related — pulls the rug out from under them.
Giants May Be Ready To Part Ways With Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux has shown flashes of potential, but has never lived up to his billing as the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He remains as unproven as he was in his rookie season, and his production has declined year over year since his career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023.
Since Brian Burns was traded to New York, Thibodeaux has just eight sacks over the past 22 games. Despite showing up against the run at times this season, he has just 2.5 sacks this season, before being sidelined with a shoulder injury since Week 10.
Thibodeaux has not done nearly enough for the Giants to warrant a lucrative extension, which he is due for after the 2026 season. Spotrac has his value sitting at a four-year, $82 million contract, which is way too much for someone who is not a key contributor.
On top of that, Abdul Carter’s recent surge has played a factor, with Kayvon previously serving as ideal insurance while Carter battled suspensions due to his missing and showing up late for meetings. But the third overall pick turned in his best game of the season, giving the Giants another capable edge rusher/outside linebacker with several years left on his rookie contract.
Thibodeaux has been trade bait ever since New York drafted Carter, and with Burns playing at an All-Pro level, he has become expendable. It will be intriguing to see if Joe Schoen decides to pull the plug on Kayvon this offseason with the trajectory he has been on for several years now.
New York Has a Laundry List of Injuries This Week
As the Giants prepare to host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, it’s not just Thibodeaux who is out this week. Several other key players have not participated in practices, making their statuses in doubt for Sunday’s game.
This includes offensive lineman Evan Neal, who has been a much bigger bust than Thibodeaux, not playing a snap all season for New York. Second-year safety Tyler Nubin was also out of practice (not injury related), as was wide receiver Beaux Collins, linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, and defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Rochez.
A week after the Giants signed punter Cameron Johnston, who ended up punting against Washington, Jamie Gillan was limited once again in practice with a left knee injury. Cornerbacks Rico Payton and Dru Phillips (starting slot corner) were also limited in practice as they deal with back and heel injuries, respectively.
In a season marred by poor play and injuries on both sides of the ball, including Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo being lost for the season, for a key player like Kayvon Thibodeaux to be out with a shoulder injury for six weeks highlights the cause for concern. Either Thibodeaux is being shut down for the season, or the medical staff misdiagnosed his injury from the beginning.
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