The New York Giants officially placed edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux on season-ending injured reserve (IR) Saturday due to a lingering shoulder injury, ending a disappointing 2025 campaign prematurely.
Thibodeaux, who missed the previous four games and was already ruled out for Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings, will now sit out the final three contests. The move came just two days after he expressed optimism about returning.
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“I’m still feeling good and shooting for the last two [games],” Thibodeaux told the New York Post. “I have to come back; I have to play. Obviously, I just want to play football, but I still feel a certain level of pride in this team, and I still feel a certain level of expectation on myself to leave everything on the field.
“The fact that we still have some opportunities left, I can’t sit and think about what else is to come. As long as I’m healthy and I can play, then I’m going to play. For what I injured, you can’t play if you can’t play. I’m definitely going to make sure that I’m able to do my job at a high level.”
The fourth-year pro finishes with a lackluster 2.5 sacks in 10 games, missing seven total. Once in line for a lucrative extension, the injury may prompt the Giants to delay negotiations.
Thibodeaux is under contract for 2026 via his exercised fifth-year option, worth approximately $14.751 million.
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In a corresponding roster move, the Giants activated cornerback Art Green from IR. He takes the place of Thibs on the 53-man roster.
Finally, the Giants also elevated defensive lineman Elijah Chatman and kicker Ben Sauls from their practice squad. For Chatman, it’s his third and final available elevation. For Sauls, it is his first, and he has two remaining.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants place Kayvon Thibodeaux on season-ending IR, elevate Ben Sauls