The NFL is playing its customary three Thanksgiving Day games today, which means there are six teams that have already played NFL regular season games this year who are now playing on short rest.
Suffice it to say, injuries are a factor.
What’s the latest on the status of key players in today’s games? We have the details. Let’s take a look.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Inactives
The Bears and Lions are in quite different places in terms of injuries entering this contest. Detroit has question marks up and down its lineup while the visiting Bears have prepared for the NFC North showdown relatively healthy this week.
Chicago listed just two players on its injury report – safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) and offensive tackle Ryan Bates (concussion). Both are carryovers from last week’s report, meaning there were no new injuries for the team to manage following their overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week.
Both Bates and Hicks are listed as out.
Detroit, on the other hand, has key players on both sides of the ball battling ailments.
On offense, Detroit has already ruled out starting left tackle Taylor Decker (knee). Listed as questionable are both running back David Montgomery (shoulder) and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee). While the omission of Decker is a negative development, both Montgomery and St. Brown are in positive progressions after practicing in full on Wednesday.
On defense, starting cornerback Carlton Davis (knee/thumb) is out. The Lions will miss the veteran cornerback but they welcome the likelihood of fellow cornerback Terrion Arnold (groin) and defensive tackle D.J. Reader (illness) playing. Both practiced in full on Wednesday and carry no game designation with them into Thursday.
Bears Designated as Out
- WR Tyler Scott
- DB Ameer Speed
- OL Kiran Amegadjie
- DB Elijah Hicks
- OL Ryan Bates
- DL Dominique Robinson
Lions Designated as Out
- CB Carlton Davis III
- CB Emmanuel Moseley
- T Taylor Decker
- G Kayode Awosika
- OL Colby Sorsdal
- T Giovanni Manu
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys Inactives
The Giants’ and Cowboys’ injury reports read like a who’s who of each roster. Both teams have key players on both sides of the ball in jeopardy of missing the Thanksgiving Day showdown.
For the Giants, two big names on offense commanded attention this week.
Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) didn’t practice at all and has been ruled out. Quarterback Tommy DeVito (right forearm) was limited on Tuesday and sat out on Wednesday. DeVito is listed as questionable for the game and it’s expected Drew Lock will start for the Giants.
The defensive lineup is facing even more adversity for New York. Edge defender Azeez Ojulari (toe) is out after the team placed him on injured reserve this week. He is currently ranked second on the team with six sacks.
Other key defenders to note include backup defensive tackle Armon Watts (shoulder), who is out, and starting cornerback Deonte Banks (rib), who is listed as questionable.
For the Cowboys, four key defenders enter the day with game designations.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks (groin/shoulder) did not practice this week and is questionable, while fellow linebacker Nick Vigil (foot) sat out of practice on Monday and Tuesday but was limited on Wednesday; he is questionable for the game. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) is questionable and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) is doutbful.
On offense, Dallas will be without All-Pro guard Zach Martin (ankle/shoulder) and tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) has been ruled out, as well.
Quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) was limited all week in practice but carries no game designation with him into today. Also, Dallas seems poised to welcome back speedy receiver Brandin Cooks, who has been out since Week 4 with a knee injury.
Giants Designated as Out
- QB Tommy DeVito (emergency 3rd QB)
- TE Greg Dulcich
- CB Deonte Banks
- S Anthony Johnson
- CB Tre Hawkins III
- G Jake Kubas
- T Jermaine Eluemunor
Cowboys Designated as Out
- CB Andrew Booth
- CB Trevon Diggs
- TE Jake Ferguson
- WR Ryan Flournoy
- DE Marshawn Kneeland
- OG Zack Martin
- RB Deuce Vaughn
Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers Inactives
The Dolphins injury report was extensive during the week but as the club made final preparations on Wednesday and flew to Green Bay, only three players carried a game designation.
Listed as out are linebacker Tyus Bowser (knee/calf) and cornerback Kendall Fuller. Miami listed left tackle Terron Armstead as questionable.
For Green Bay, two defensive starters will be missing as star cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) is out as is inside linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring). Alexander’s absence, his second in as many weeks, is particularly concerning for Green Bay as they prepare to deal with the speedy wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The Packers know they will be without receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) and could be without tight end John FitzPatrick (back), but of larger concern is the presence of center Josh Myers. He is listed with a pectoral injury. The good news is Myers was able to practice in full on Friday after being a limited participant on Monday and Tuesday.
Dolphins Designated as Out
- CB Ethan Bonner
- WR Dee Eskridge
- CB Kendall Fuller
- QB Tyler Huntley
- TE Jack Stoll
- LB Anthony Walker
Packers Designated as Out
- CB Jaire Alexander
- LB Edgerrin Cooper
- WR Romeo Doubs
- C Jacob Monk