The NY Giants faced a setback with news that Kayvon Thibodeaux underwent wrist surgery, potentially sidelining him for 4-6 weeks. This is a tough blow for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
With Thibodeaux out, Brian Burns will need to step up as the primary pass-rusher. Fortunately, he performed well against the Seahawks. Dexter Lawrence will continue to disrupt from the inside, and Azeez Ojulari is expected to start in Thibodeaux’s place. However, depth behind Ojulari is limited.
There’s speculation about whether the Giants will bring in a veteran pass-rusher. Currently, Boogie Basham is the only OLB/DE on the roster, with Tomon Fox and Benton Whitley on the practice squad. It’s likely one of them will be promoted for the upcoming game against the Bengals.
It’s unfortunate for Thibodeaux, who has shown improvement after a slow start to the season. While he has only two sacks, he’s been effective at pressuring quarterbacks.
Despite a 2-3 record, the Giants have quietly accumulated 22 sacks, thanks in part to the strong trio of Thibodeaux, Burns, and Lawrence, along with contributions from Ojulari and D.J. Davidson.
Losing Thibodeaux at this time is especially tough for team morale, which has been boosted by their recent upset win over the Seahawks. While his absence will be felt, it remains to be seen how GM Joe Schoen will respond to mitigate the impact.
