Kayvon Thibodeaux took a big step forward last week.
Another step should get the former Giants first-round draft pick up to quarterback in time for his first sack.
After a quiet season opener, a more disruptive Thibodeaux had two tackles for loss as a run blocker plus three pressures and two quarterback hits as a pass rusher against the Commanders.
“He made huge strides from Week 1 to Week 2,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “He challenged himself to go out (to practice) and work. I felt the urgency from him after Week 1 and it showed. Watch last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s practices and watch KT Turn on tape on Sunday and it shows.”
The bar for Thibodeaux is higher than in either of his first two seasons, even as a rookie selected with the No. 5 pick in the draft.
He's coming off an 11 ½-sack season and drawing fewer double-teams with Brian Burns running the opposite edge.
“I realize it’s a long season and the only way to get better is to get better. That’s the mindset I’ve been taking,” Thibodeaux said. “Still, we lost, so individual accolades don’t really carry any weight when you lose.”
The Browns listed three offensive tackles on the injury report, but left tackle Jack Conklin is trending toward starting after his full participation.
“One of the biggest teams up front,” Thibodeaux said. “They like to move people. They like to run the ball. So you’re definitely going to have to stop the run and be ready to put the wingers in.”
Bowen’s message to Thibodeaux is to “stay on the attack” because the opportunities are coming.
Sunday would be a good time for Thibodeaux to shine because Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett will be on the other side.
“Either you have a lot of talent, or you have a lot of skill, or you’re Myles Garrett (with both),” Thibodeaux said. “And he’s a Hall of Fame guy. He’s a guy I looked up to coming out of high school. And he’s going to continue to dominate the league for a long time. Definitely watch his game and try to emulate his example.”
Cornerback Isaiah Simmons was not with the team Thursday for personal reasons after leaving the facility Wednesday morning. Head coach Brian Daboll expects Simmons to be available Sunday.
Simmons' close friend and former Clemson teammate Diondre Overton was shot and killed on Sept. 7 in North Carolina.
Josh Ezeudu has been an extra blocker on all three kicks (two field goals, one PAT) attempted this season.
Evan Neal, the former first-round pick who lost his job as starting right tackle following offseason ankle surgery, has not, despite a seemingly easy opportunity to give him some live action during his development.
“We coached a bunch of players at different positions,” special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said. “Evan is a guy who can play all of those positions. So is Ezeudu. We’re going to put on the field who we think will give us the best chance to hit.”
Newcomer Greg Joseph and rookie Jude McAtamney are competing to be the kicker on Sunday after last week's debacle, in which no kickers were available after Graham Gano (hamstring) was injured.
Ghobrial said the decision will be made “on the field,” but it would be interesting if the Giants signed Joseph (100-for-121 career field goals) off the Lions' practice squad and didn't want to use him.
