Shane Bowen was not with the Giants when they were evaluating all the prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft, meaning Bowen had nothing to do with the selection of outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux with the No. 5-overall pick that year.
As their first season working together nears an end, Bowen has not exactly seen Thibodeaux take a quantum leap forward in his development as a defender.
In 10 games, Thibodeaux has three sacks and 22 tackles.
He had five forced fumbles in his first two seasons but none this season.
He started the first five games, missed five straight games with a fractured wrist and returned to play in the past five games.
“Obviously, he missed a lot of time there in the middle of the year,’’ Bowen said, “which is a big part of — I mean, we talked to all these guys about improving as the season goes and then you get unfortunately injured and you’re on the shelf for however long. But I’ve been pleased with the way he’s progressed and what he’s put on tape here these last few weeks. And really last week, I thought it was probably one of his better games, like flying around, playing physical. And he’s done some really good things for us.’’
Thibodeaux, 23, is eligible for a contract extension, but that is unlikely to happen, as he will not be coming off a strong season from a production standpoint — he had 11.5 sacks in 2023.
The Giants must decide this spring if they want to exercise the fifth-year option on Thibodeaux, which would guarantee him an estimated $16 million for the 2026 season.
WR Malik Nabers needs nine receptions in the final two games to set the NFL record for a rookie.
Puka Nacua set the record of 105 receptions in 2023.
Nabers, with 97 receptions, could get beat to the record by another rookie, as Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has 101 receptions.
Nabers is dealing with a toe injury and is listed as questionable to play.
“I see Brock up ahead of me right now, so I don’t know,’’ Nabers said. “I’m gonna try to do my best to get it, but if my body won’t let me do it, then I got to focus on my future, put this to bed and continue to try to be better next year.”
The expectation for Sunday is for LB Dyontae Johnson to make his NFL debut against the Colts.
Johnson spent the 2023 season on the practice squad and made the initial 53-man roster before hurting his ankle and landing on injured reserve.
“It’s definitely a long time coming,” said Johnson, who joined the team as an undrafted rookie from Toledo in 2023. “But throughout that process, I was just making sure I was ready to go whenever my number is called.”
Johnson, undrafted out of Toledo, should play a role on special teams.
With the Giants depleted at inside linebacker — Micah McFadden (neck) is out and Bobby Okereke (back) is on injured reserve — Johnson could get snaps on defense, along with rookie Darius Muasau and Ty Summers.
