EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The most publicized member of the Giants' 2022 draft class hopes to return soon. Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux - the No. 5 overall selection - has not played since spraining his medial collateral ligament in a preseason game vs. Cincinnati on Aug. 21. He has been limited in practice this week.
He was asked if it's "unlikely" he will suit up Sunday against the Panthers.
"I wouldn't call it unlikely," he said. "We're still playing it, I just want to make sure. We want to cross our T's and dot our I's before I get back out there.
"Just trying to tolerate the pain and make sure I don't do too much and reaggravate it. Make sure I really do everything in my capacity and just continue to try to push that envelope."
Thibodeaux is pleased with the progress he's made since suffering the injury.
"It feels a lot better," he said. "I've just been making really good gains every day. Just continuing to kind of bring back those reps, a different kind of motion and getting comfortable back in my position."
What hurdle must he clear to return to game action?
"Just being able to be safe in uncontrolled circumstances," he said. "The thing about injuries – it's one thing when it's a controlled situation and you're just working out, but once you start going against guys, you can't really control the variables. That's when you see how strong you really are."
