Thanksgiving week is here, but the NFL isn’t taking any time off.
While we have three games on Thursday and another on Friday, let’s take a look at all the latest happenings around the league as we enter the holiday season and the home stretch of the regular season.
The Dallas Cowboys’ No. 1 wide receiver this season wasn’t listed on the Nov. 26 injury report and will be active for the team’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens didn’t practice on Monday and was limited on Tuesday due to a “knee/calf” issue. The fourth-year receiver, who’s in his first season with the Cowboys, leads Dallas in receptions (67), receiving yards (1,054) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this season. The receptions and touchdown total are each career bests for Pickens. Over the Cowboys’ last two games, Pickens has averaged nine receptions for 145 yards and one score per contest. Dallas has won back-to-back games, now standing at 5-5-1.
Burrow fully practices on Tuesday
Joe Burrow is on track to return for the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Ravens, and that was confirmed with his practice activity on Tuesday. Burrow was a full participant.
Moehrig suspended without pay for hitting Jennings
Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig has been suspended one game without pay for punching San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the groin during Monday’s game.
Moehrig may appeal the suspension under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. A hearing would be heard by Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
Moehrig will be eligible to return to the Panthers’ active roster next Monday.
“[Moehrig] took an affordable shot and hit [Jennings] within the balls, and I used to be actual happy with Jauan for not dropping his thoughts on the market and attending to the sideline,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned of the incident after Monday’s recreation.
Rodgers might return vs. Payments
Aaron Rodgers and his damaged left wrist might play on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Payments.
The 41-year-old Rodgers practiced in a restricted capability final week, however ended up watching Pittsburgh’s 31-28 loss to Chicago from the sideline in sweatpants after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin determined to make Rodgers inactive and begin Mason Rudolph as an alternative.
Tomlin referred to as the choice to sit down the four-time MVP a “prudent” one however declined to get into specifics. There appears to be a far larger likelihood of Rodgers returning when Pittsburgh (6-5) tries to snap out of a midseason funk in opposition to the Payments (7-4) in a recreation that might have severe playoff implications for each groups.
“We’re comfy with the final trajectory (of Rodgers),” Tomlin mentioned.
Tomlin made the ultimate name to sit down Rodgers in opposition to Chicago on Saturday. He is not positive if he’ll preserve the window open just a little longer this time round.
Pacheco set to return for Chiefs’ Thanksgiving recreation
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs might have Isiah Pacheco within the backfield once they go to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid mentioned Tuesday that he expects his high operating again to return from a knee harm that value him three video games for the matchup on Thursday. Pacheco began the primary eight video games of the season and has 329 yards dashing and a landing.
“We’ll see how he does right this moment,’ Reid mentioned earlier than the primary official apply of the brief week, “however we’ll get him in there. He’ll play. How a lot, I am unable to inform you that proper now. See the way it goes.”
Pacheco returned to apply final week however was held out of Sunday’s time beyond regulation win over the Colts, when Kareem Hunt carried a career-high 30 occasions for 104 yards and a landing — a heavy workload for him with a brief interval of restoration.
Neither quarterback Patrick Mahomes nor his operating backs will possible have proper guard Trey Smith serving to them out on Thursday. He missed apply with an ankle harm on Tuesday, and it’s virtually sure that Mike Caliendo might be referred to as upon to start out in his place.
Bengals’ Burrow formally set to return
After months of anticipation, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is anticipated to take the sphere in Week 13 in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Zac Taylor introduced.
The information comes a day after FOX Sports activities’ Jay Glazer reported Burrow would possible be able to make his return on Thanksgiving. Cincy’s QB1 has been out of the lineup since struggling a turf toe harm in Week 2.
Daniels returns to apply, unlikely for Broncos
Jayden Daniels returned to apply for the Washington Commanders on Monday after lacking the previous two video games with a dislocated left elbow, however coach Dan Quinn mentioned the reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr is unlikely to play subsequent weekend in opposition to the Denver Broncos.
Daniels harm his elbow in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2, when his non-throwing arm bent awkwardly as he braced himself whereas being tackled within the fourth quarter. Washington already was down by 31 factors on the time, and Quinn acknowledged the following day that it was a mistake to nonetheless have his beginning QB within the recreation. Exams confirmed that Daniels tore ligaments within the elbow however didn’t want surgical procedure.
Washington is 1-4 with backup Marcus Mariota beginning at quarterback. He has thrown for seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Additionally again on the sphere for the Commanders had been beginning receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown. McLaurin has missed seven of the previous eight video games with a quad harm; Brown has missed all however two video games this season and has been on injured reserve since Oct. 15 with a groin harm. Washington opened Brown’s 21-day apply window on Monday.
Bengals WR Chase Points Apology for Week 11 incident
Ja’Marr Chase issued an apology on social media Monday for spitting on Jalen Ramsey throughout the fourth quarter of the Cincinnati Bengals’ 34-12 Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 16.
Chase was suspended by the NFL for the Bengals’ Week 12 recreation in opposition to the New England Patriots. His assertion of apology was addressed to his group, the Bengals and Steelers organizations and the NFL neighborhood, however the star vast receiver didn’t point out Ramsey by identify.
“Please know I’m talking from my coronary heart once I say I take full accountability for my actions throughout final Sunday’s recreation at Pittsburgh,” Chase mentioned within the assertion, which was posted on social media. “What I did was mistaken. The circumstances don’t matter. My ardour for the sport isn’t any excuse. There’s zero place in our sport or in life for that degree of disrespect. I need to personally apologize to everybody inside the Pittsburgh Steelers group. I let my feelings within the second get the higher of me.’
Chase added: “This has been a troublesome season with some extremely arduous losses. We’ve all been pissed off. However as an alternative of stepping up with calm, class and management, I allow you to down. My having to sit down out yesterday’s recreation makes my actions much more inexcusable.”
Minnesota positioned McCarthy in concussion protocol, placing his availability for the upcoming recreation in opposition to the Seahawks in query. McCarthy first reported signs throughout the group’s journey residence from its 23-6 loss in opposition to the Packers, head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Monday. The medical employees made the choice to place him in protocol after returning to Minnesota, O’Connell mentioned. O’Connell declined to reply particular questions in regards to the severity or nature of McCarthy’s signs. He didn’t rule McCarthy out for this Sunday however mentioned rookie backup Max Brosmer would step in with the first-string offense in apply this week till or until McCarthy is cleared.
With Tenth-year veteran Carson Wentz out for the remainder of the season following shoulder surgical procedure, the one different quarterback on Minnesota’s roster is John Wolford, a 30-year-old journeyman on the apply squad. McCarthy has began and appeared in simply six video games in 2025, as he was at first restricted by an ankle harm suffered in Week 2 that saved him out till Week 9. Within the 4 video games since his return, McCarthy has seven interceptions in opposition to 4 touchdowns, with a 52.5% completion price and 628 passing yards. The Vikings (4-7) are final within the NFC North.
Okay Justin Tucker will get first tryout since suspension, Ravens launch
The Saints will host the ex-Ravens kicker for a tryout this week, NFL Media reported. It is Tucker’s first tryout since Baltimore launched him in Could, which got here months after 16 therapeutic massage therapists accused Tucker of sexual misconduct. Tucker acquired a 10-game suspension from the league in June after its investigation into the matter. He turned eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11. Tucker, 36, is likely one of the most achieved kickers in NFL historical past. He has been named first-team All-Professional 5 occasions and set quite a few franchise data over his 13 seasons with the Ravens, however he additionally struggled in his remaining season in Baltimore, making a career-low 73.3% of his kicks in 2024.
The Saints, in the meantime, might be on the seek for a brand new kicker after Blake Grupe missed two extra kicks of their loss to the Falcons on Sunday. Grupe has made simply 69.2% of his kicks this yr.
Giants hearth defensive coordinator Shane Bowen
The Giants are making one other teaching change, letting go of Bowen on Monday morning following the group’s 34-27 time beyond regulation loss to the Lions on Sunday, NFL Media reported. Exterior linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will reportedly function the interim defensive coordinator. New York’s swap got here after it blew one other 10-point lead in a street recreation this season, marking the fifth time it has performed that this yr. The Giants additionally gave up 494 yards to the Lions, negating the 517-yard day they’d on offense to fall to 2-10 on the season.
Following Sunday’s video games, New York ranks thirtieth in whole protection, giving up 385 yards per recreation this season. It is also thirtieth in scoring protection, permitting 27.8 factors per recreation. The transfer additionally comes two weeks after the Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has served because the interim coach, with the Giants making two sturdy upset bids in opposition to the Packers final week earlier than Sunday’s loss to the Lions.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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