Former NFL head doctor gives thoughts on Kayvon Thibodeaux

Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux will still be a high-end pick in next year’s NFL Draft. But his immediate future is a little murky. He exited the Ducks’ game on Saturday against Fresno State in the first half when a teammate rolled on his ankle in the first half.

Mario Cristobal confirmed in his postgame press conference that Thibodeaux sprained either his ankle or foot. X-rays came back negative, and the coach does not thing it is too serious.

But former NFL head doctor David J. Chao tweeted his take on the injury. And getting the defensive end back for Oregon’s huge matchup at Ohio State could be a stretch.

“By video, apparent mild right eversion/high ankle sprain,” Chao wrote. “Boot likely precautionary and injury not season ending or long term and no effect on draft status but Ohio State looms next week and that is a tight turnaround.”

Thibodeaux was seen on the sideline with a walking boot in the second half of Saturday’s game. Oregon came from behind to defeat Fresno State, 31-24, on an Anthony Brown touchdown run. Thibodeaux is a crucial piece to Oregon’s defense.

“Kayvon’s injury was certainly something you don’t want to see happen for anybody,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. “It hurts us considerably on the edge.”

What the possible loss of Kayvon Thibodeaux means

The defensive end has emerged as one of the most marketable athletes in the dawn of the Name, Image and Likeness era. A consensus preseason All-American, he has signed NIL deals with Nike, United Airlines and eBay. 

With the NIL fame, he lives up to they hype on the field. Earlier in Saturday’s game, Thibodeaux had a strip-sack that set up an Oregon touchdown. A 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end, he has developed into one of the top pass rushers in the nation. A Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the year selection, expectations have been high for him since he arrived in Eugene. 

He finished with 38 tackles and three sacks last season along with three pass breakups and two quarterback hits in seven games. If the defensive end can not go next week at Ohio State, the loss would be huge for Oregon. The Buckeyes have one of the top rushing attacks in the nation with Master Teague, Miyan Williams and true freshman TreVeyon Henderson.

Ohio State also has a first-time starting quarterback in C.J. Stroud. Having a strong pass rush next week in Columbus could be huge for the Ducks in rattling Stroud and making an impact on the passing game.