EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Kayvon Thibodeaux practiced Wednesday and later sounded hopeful of making his NFL debut when the 2-0 Giants host the Dallas Cowboys Monday night.
"Today was definitely a – (I) had a lot of progress," Thibodeaux said. "Was able to open it up and do a lot of things. So yeah, today I'm definitely confident. … We're building right now. We're building on Week 2. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but we're taking the right steps."
Thibodeaux and fellow edge rusher Azeez Ojulari each missed the season's first two games, the former with a knee injury suffered in a preseason game vs. Cincinnati on Aug. 28 and the latter with a calf injury he sustained in practice on Aug. 25.
The Giants have big plans for each of them. Thibodeaux was the fifth overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Ojulari led the team in sacks last season with a franchise rookie record 8.0
"Thibs and Azeez, they're getting close," coach Brian Daboll said. "They're going to take some team reps today. I think they took a little bit last week, but they're going to take more this week. They're getting close, so we'll see with them. I'd say they're still day-to-day even though they're on the close side."
Thibodeaux had 19 sacks in three seasons at the University of Oregon. If he plays with Ojulari, Oshane Ximines and Jihad Ward, the Giants will have a formidable foursome of outside pass rushers.
What must Thibodeaux prove to himself before he can step onto the field?
"That I can go," he said. "I can be healthy, and I can perform the different moves and tasks that I need to do my job at a high level.
"The thing I think that people don't realize is whether you're injured or not injured, once you decide to step on the field between the whistles, it doesn't really matter. So, just making sure that I can go. Today was a day to open up and really try to go that 100 (miles per hour) to see what it would feel like. So, being able to do that was a good thing from today."
A year ago, Thibodeaux sat out two early-season games and was limited in a third because of an ankle injury suffered in Oregon's season opener against Fresno State. That experience has helped him mitigate the disappointment of missing his team's first two NFL games.
"That doesn't really frustrate (me)," he said. "You have to have an understanding of where you want to get to. If I tried to focus too much on the now, of course you'd be down. But (I'm) just trying to focus on the future of what we have in store and what I have in store for myself.
"I'm not the bone doctor. So, I couldn't tell you really how long it was going to take or what it was going to feel like. As far as my mental and my body, it's been a good process having to come back."
The biggest step will be the one he hopes to take Monday night.
"Nobody wants to be on sideline, but I think that's the part of team sport (where) you've really got to be humble," Thibodeaux said. "And the fact that I can't win a game, and I can't lose a game. All I can do is contribute to the outcome. So, for me, even when I'm not on the field, (it's) figuring out how I can contribute to the guys I'm playing with.
"Just making sure I'm mentally focused. Taking mental reps, you've really got to lock in, pay attention, and hone in on those details."
*Defensive lineman Leonard Williams did not attend practice so he could stay indoors to receive treatment on the right knee injury he sustained Sunday.
His status for the Dallas game has yet to be determined. Williams has started 21 consecutive games, tying linebacker Tae Crowder for the Giants' longest active streak. He has never missed a game in his eight-year career, playing in all 114 with 106 starts.
"Leo's rehabbing," Daboll said. "Again, Leo's a quick healer. He tells me he's a quick healer. So, I'm not going to put it past Leo to be ready to go. Would it shock me either way? No."
*Cornerback Aaron Robinson is back with the team after undergoing an appendectomy last week but is not ready to engage in football activities.
"ARob, I think, is really a wildcard," Daboll said. "He's getting better, he's walking around. But I'd say I won't know that (his status for the game), probably any of us won't, until the end of the week."
*Three wide receivers did not practice. Sterling Shepard was given the day off as the Giants focus on not overtaxing him, as he is still just nine months removed from an Achilles tendon tear. Kadarius Toney has hamstring tightness. And rookie Wan'Dale Robinson, who missed the victory against Carolina with a knee injury suffered in the opener, was not ready to return. "(He is) getting better," Daboll said. "Close. For this week, I'm not sure."
The Giants will wear their all-white Color Rush uniforms on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys.
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a touchdown pass during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (87) scores a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' Jaylen Watkins (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Dexter Lawrence (97), Darnay Holmes (30)
Kadarius Toney (89)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) takes part in a week 9 regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Monday November 4th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Darnay Holmes (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Darnay Holmes (30)
Daniel Jones (8)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Kadarius Toney (89), Darius Slayton (86)
Aaron Robinson (33)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Elerson G. Smith (94),
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Aaron Robinson (33)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks following a week 11 football game against on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a touchdown pass during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) waves to a fan before a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks off during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive line huddles before a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) And New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) runs after a catch during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, December 22, 2016, Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 24-19. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
New York Giants' Eli Manning in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants line up during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones (8) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones (8) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants DL Leonard Williams (99) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants QB Eli Manning (10) during a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
