Cowboys’ matchup just got a game-altering update that could lead to CeeDee Lamb finding redemption on Thanksgiving
Final injury report for Kansas City Chiefs vs Dallas Cowboys in Week 13.
The final injury report ahead of the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving matchup is out, and it’s a positive one for America’s Team. That’s because one particular update immediately boosts their chances of beating the Kansas City Chiefs in what will resemble a playoff matchup. And it does in more ways than one.
Firstly, star wide receiver George Pickens carries no game designation despite starting the week as a non-participant on the injury report due to a calf/knee injury. Pickens was upgraded to limited on Tuesday and to a full participant on Wednesday.
Obviously, having Pickens at 100% is crucial for the Cowboys’ offense. Pickens is second in the NFL in receiving yards, 10+ yard receptions, and third in receiving touchdowns. But the numbers are one thing. Another is the clear impact his energy has on the offense, which is evidenced by the reaction of his teammates in behind-the-scenes videos and in interviews.
Additionally, the Chiefs like to play one-on-one against top wide receivers. But that’s difficult to do against the Cowboys. If they see a need to double Pickens or CeeDee Lamb — or both — it could help deter defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s signature aggressiveness when calling the game on Thursday. Speaking of needing to double somebody, Spagnuolo’s game plan against Lamb might have changed because of injury news on the Chiefs’ side of things.
CeeDee Lamb poised for redemption after Chiefs rule out their starting nickel cornerback
Lamb, who plays most of the snaps in the slot, is in line for a mismatch on Thanksgiving. He will face KC’s Plan B at nickel. That’s because starting nickel corner Chris Roland-Wallace was surprisingly ruled out with a back injury ahead of Thanksgiving after missing Wednesday’s practice. He was added to the injury report on Tuesday as limited and was downgraded on Wednesday.
Spagnuolo recently told reporters Roland-Wallace is playing “exceptionally well.” This is a big hit for the Chiefs.
Whoever steps in for Roland-Wallace will have his hands full against Lamb, who is hungry for redemption following one of the worst games of his career. A to Z Sports Kansas City’s Charles Goldman perfectly explains why it’s going to be a problem:
“Chris Roland-Wallace’s absence is a big blow to Kansas City because they don’t have another player, outside of star CB Trent McDuffie, who is a proven difference-maker in the slot. His absence likely means more S Chamarri Conner in the slot, who has played 225 of 609 defensive snaps in the slot this season. Regardless of alignment, he’s allowed 34 receptions on 38 targets for 445 yards and two touchdowns this season per PFF. In an ideal world, the Chiefs would go with McDuffie in the slot alongside Jaylon Watson and Nohl Williams as the boundary corners.
“Steve Spagnuolo has gone away from that look in recent weeks, and I reckon he’ll want McDuffie to follow either Lamb or Pickens on Thursday. The other wild-card here is Kristian Fulton, who signed a two-year $20 million deal with the Chiefs this offseason, but hasn’t played much. The team tried to play him against the Denver Broncos in Week 12, and it backfired. He has some ability to play slot cornerback, but hasn’t done so for Kansas City yet.”
Full injury report: Cowboys will be down Tyler Guyton
- Tyler Guyton is the only Cowboys player ruled out for gameday after he suffered an injury during the win over the Eagles. Backup tackle Nate Thomas will take his place at left tackle.
- Cornerback Caelen Carson was a late addition to the injury report and is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Carson started the last couple of weeks for Dallas.
- As expected, the Chiefs ruled out iOL Trey Smith, opening a major opportunity for the Cowboys in the trenches. The Chiefs also ruled out Roland-Wallace.
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Big matchup ahead.
