Twitter reactions to the Bengals’ hit on Kayvon Thibodeaux

The Cincinnati Bengals‘ preseason game against the New York Giants sparked controversy after tight end Thaddeus Moss took down Kayvon Thibodeaux. Was it a legal play?

As usual, Twitter had plenty to say about the dangerous hit.

Moss delivered a “cut block” to Thibodeaux which, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio describes it, is “a device long recognized by the sport of football as the only way smaller guys can get bigger guys to the ground.”

Florio points out that the play was inherently legal, though not necessarily “clean.”

Looking back at the tape, Moss’ block certainly looks like the kind of play that tears ACLs. It is cringe-inducing, to say the least, but at least Thibodeaux appears to have avoided a serious injury. The 2022 first-rounder was able to walk off the field under his own power and immediately went to the medical tent to have his knee examined.

Analysts on Twitter were nonetheless far from pleased about Moss’ hit, especially considering that it’s only preseason.

Bengals’ Thaddeus Moss sparked outrage over hit on Kayvon Thibodeaux in Week 2 of preseason

Current and former NFL ballers also weighed in on the play, with Cowboys’ Micah Parsons fuming over the use of the cut block.

Yet former guard T.J. Lang, former tight end Clay Harbor, and free agent tackle Marshall Newhouse believed the hit was legal and “routine” and point out that people are only angry because of the end result.

The needle seems currently tilted toward “legal play, ugly outcome” as Mike Florio originally stated, and it’s wholly unlikely that Moss will receive a suspension or fine.

Wishing Thibodeaux nothing but the best as he awaits test results.