During Sunday’s preseason game between the Giants and Bengals, Cincinnati tight end Thaddeus Moss delivered a low block to New York rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux in the second quarter. While Thibodeaux appears to have avoided a major injury, the hit knocked the pass rusher out of the game. Thibodeaux was later diagnosed with a sprained MCL and will be out for three to four weeks, according to multiple reports.
Following Sunday’s game, first-year Giants coach Brian Daboll said the hit, also known as a cut block, was legal.
“That’s the rules. They allow it. We do it as well,” he said.
The NFL’s rulebook prohibits blocks below the waist with a few exceptions, including: “By players of either team during a scrimmage down prior to a change of possession unless the contact occurs in the tight end box.” The tight end box is defined as the area 2 yards outside of the normal tackle position and extends 5 yards on either side of the line of scrimmage.
Still, the play sparked controversy among players, analysts and fans alike.