In a week two preseason game between the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night August 21st, Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss delivered a dirty and dangerous low hit to Giants fifth overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The play here:
This is ridiculous, dangerous and cowardly! Straight cowardly. Prayers up for Kayvon Thibodeaux.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 22, 2022
I’m no football X’s & O’s expert, but that sure looked dirty to me. Leading with the helmet straight to the knee, Thibodeaux remained on the ground as Giants staff went out to help him. Thankfully, he was able to walk to the sidelines and waved off the cart.
Thibodeaux was seen walking around on the sidelines and engaging with teammates:
LB Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants’ 2022 first-round pick, appeared to hurt his right knee but waved off the cart. He did go to the medical tent.
Here's Thibodeaux walking around on the sidelines afterward: pic.twitter.com/U6XUMwZXuy
— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) August 22, 2022
Reports from Thibodeaux himself were that he was in good spirits after the game:
#Giants rookie pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux told a group of reporters after tonight's game that he's doing fine. Doesn't appear to be anything serious.
Huge sigh of relief.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 22, 2022
What Is the NFL Waiting For?
Kayvon Thibodeaux avoiding major injury shouldn’t be the end of the story. The hit was low and dangerous, and Moss should be used as an example to the rest of the NFL. The NFL shouldn’t wait for a star player or big time rookie to go down before they take action. There are necessary actions the NFL can take to protect players, disciplining helmet to knee hits is one of them. With all the rules enforced to protect quarterbacks and wide receivers, defensive players shouldn’t get forgotten.
NFL’s Response:
It was reported that Cincinnati Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss isn’t expected to face any discipline for the hit.
Would the response of the NFL be different had Thibodeaux torn his ACL? Thankfully, for the Giants sake it doesn’t seem like they will have to find out. Thibodeaux is signed to a 4-year $31.3 million deal with a $20 million signing bonus, all guaranteed. Significant injury would have been a major blow to a Giants organization that has a lot of stake invested in their young draft pick.
Sprained MCL, Hopeful For Season Opener:
Adam Schefter has reported that Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL. The Giants are still hopeful their rookie defensive end can play week 1:
Initial tests revealed that Giants’ DE Kayvon Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL that is expected to sideline him 3-4 weeks, per source. His ACL and meniscus were intact.
Giants are still hopeful that he will be ready for the regular-season opener vs. the Titans, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2022
Others Outspoken:
Rich Eisen of NFL Network thinks Moss should face consequences for the hit:
Penalty.
Hefty Fine.
Suspension.Nothing less is acceptable. pic.twitter.com/aZulgjrQyF
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) August 22, 2022
Robert Griffin III who had a history of knee injuries during his NFL career, also took to twitter to voice his displeasure of the low hit:
It’s time to BAN THIS BLOCK. Period. pic.twitter.com/JuEZtvZZG2
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 22, 2022
The Cowboys Micah Parsons also weighed in with his thoughts:
I don’t why cutting is still allowed in the NFL!! We grown ass fucking men! Let’s play ball bro! I hate to see that shit man!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) August 22, 2022
Brian Dabolls Response:
Giants head coach Brian Daboll took the high road when discussing Moss’s hit on his young highly touted rookie:
#Giants HC Brian Daboll on if the Kayvon Thibodeaux injury was a dirty play: “Well that's the rules. We do it as well with TEs and FBs going back to the line of scrimmage. So got to do a good job of playing it. It's a tough block. But whatever the rules are, those are the rules.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 22, 2022
Bottom Line:
Thaddeus Moss is unlikely to face disciplinary action or a suspension. If the NFL wants to better protect their players, they should do something about this. It’s only a matter of time before one of the premier players in the league suffers an injury on a low hit that derails a season. The NFL has made rules changes in past years that focus on helmet to helmet hits, pass interference, and roughing the passer. Low hits like Moss’s should be discussed more and there should be consequence that comes with it.
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