2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds: Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux could miss Week 1 vs. Titans with knee injury

The New York Giants have had one NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winner in their storied history -- the great Lawrence Taylor won it in 1981, and he's regarded as one of the great pass-rushers in NFL history. New York drafted another potential superstar pass-rusher at No. 5 overall this year in Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon. The team got pretty good news on his injured knee Monday. An MRI revealed a sprained MCL, and he is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. He's therefore in some jeopardy for Week 1 at Tennessee, but his ACL and meniscus were thankfully intact.

Thibodeaux is a +600 second favorite at DraftKings to win Defensive Rookie of the Year behind Detroit Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick. Thibodeaux suffered the injury in Sunday's preseason game against the Bengals when he was cut-blocked in the second quarter by Cincinnati's Thaddeus Moss. Thibodeaux remained down on the field before a cart came out to carry him off. He had one tackle in that game – exactly three weeks before the season opener -- and also one in the preseason opener vs. New England.

The 21-year-old has told reporters he is hoping to break the franchise rookie record of 8.5 sacks set by Azeez Ojulari last year. Taylor recorded 9.5 sacks in 1981 before sacks became an official stat. Thibodeaux is given a betting over/under total of 7.5. He had seven sacks across 10 games in 2021 and 19 total over 30 appearances during his career at Oregon.

"I think he's a special player," Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson said of Thibodeaux. "I think he's got all the tools, obviously that's why he was picked where he was picked. I see a guy who's hungry, who's constantly working … and he's got a magnetic personality, I just see a good team guy that knows his role and is trying to get better every day. I appreciate his humbleness and work ethic."

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