New York Giants fifth-year linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux usually wears an arm brace on one or both of his arms during games.
Why, one might ask? Of the many injuries the 2023 first-round pick has had since entering the league, elbow and/or arm injuries have not been among them. Many players wear the brace to guard against injuries like a hyperextended elbow. They can also restrict movement because of their bulk.
Thibodeaux says he may forgo the braces this season. Even though he's no longer a starter on the Giants' defense, he wants to be as unfettered as possible in his movements on the field.
"I might let go of the elbow brace..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 3, 2026
I don't think I'll be wearing it this season"@kayvont #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/w5x5IZpQ6F
Thibodeaux has shed the braces
once before, back in 2022, his rookie season, stating he "felt like the arm brace was contributing to him getting held — it would get caught in jerseys."
The former Oregon star is in the final year of his rookie contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next March. He's hoping to have a healthy and productive season for the first time since 2023, when he collected 11.5 sacks. As a precaution, was very limited in the Giants' three preseason games this summer.
"You just want to be the best player you can be. Keep finding ways to help the team, keep moving," Thibodeaux said at the beginning of training camp.
He does not see this season, his contract season, as any extra motivation.
"I honestly don't think there are no more layers of motivation to be added," he said. "I think when you play in this league, when motivation kind of seeps out or when you have the most of it, you just got to kind of lean back on your discipline... I mean, it's all ball. It's all ball."
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux considers ditching bulky elbow brace
