Mario Cristobal provides injury update on Kayvon Thibodeaux

Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux was seen on the sidelines with a walking boot late in the third quarter of Saturday’s game. Expected to be one of the top picks in next year’s NFL Draft, a teammate rolled on his ankle in the first half.

Ducks coach Mario Cristobal confirmed that Thibodeaux sprained his ankle or foot. X-rays came back negative, and the coach does not think the injury is too serious.

“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.”

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, the Ducks are set to travel to Columbus for a huge nonconference showdown with Ohio State next week.

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.

Another blow for Ducks’ defense

In addition to Thibodeaux, the day is over for Oregon linebacker Dru Mathis as well, according to James Crepea. However, the news isn’t as cheery for the linebacker.

Mathis was using crutches to head to the locker room. The super senior appears to have a left knee injury. 

It’s been a brutal day for Oregon’s defense health-wise. While Oregon may have avoided disaster with Thibodeaux, the loss of Mathis stings.