On Friday, the New York Giants ruled out one of their best defensive players for their game against the Vikings on Sunday. On Saturday, they went a step further, putting him on Injured Reserve (IR), which will officially end his season with just three games left to play.
Former No. 5 overall pick ED Kayvon Thibodeaux has been dealing with a shoulder injury this year and hasn’t practiced in weeks. With just three games to play and the Giants eliminated from playoff contention, the four-game minimum stint on IR will mandate that Thibodeaux is done for the season.
Thibodeaux hasn’t played since Week 10 against the Bears. On the season, he has 25 tackles, three sacks, and two passes defensed. His best season came in 2023, when he had 50 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and four passes defensed.
Kayvon Thibodeaux’s Future with the New York Giants is in Question
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 21: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants warms up at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Though he was a top-five pick in 2022, Thibodeaux’s time in New York hasn’t met the lofty expectations that came with such a selection. He had a solid rookie season and a better sophomore campaign, but his performance was always overshadowed by his fellow 2022 draftee at the same position, Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit. Hutchinson quickly became one of the best pass rushers in the league, while Thibodeaux never got that distinction.
The Giants did pick up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option last spring, so he’s under contract through next season. After that, though, it’s more of an open question. Does New York really want to pay a hefty price for a player who’s spent the better part of the last two seasons battling significant injury troubles? Especially when they’re already paying Brian Burns at the same position and just drafted Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall pick in April.
If the Giants do decide to bring Thibodeaux back, that three-headed monster would form arguably the best pass rush trio in the league.
The New York Giants Will Continue to Evaluate Rookie QB Jaxson Dart
Carter wasn’t the only first-round pick the Giants made in this past draft. They traded back into the latter part of the first round to take QB Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss. Though he started the season the bench, he quickly made his way to the starting lineup, where he’s flashed some serious upside in limited action.
For Dart, the most important thing right now is staying healthy. He’s been evaluated for concussions four times already this season, with two confirmed, causing him to miss significant time. He needs to stay on the field to continue to develop his game, and New York doesn’t want to see their exciting young quarterback sustain so many head injuries.
Heading into next season, Dart will have a new head coach. But he’s established himself as the future for the Giants — at least for now. Next season will mark the true test for Dart moving forward.
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