There are six teams playing on Thanksgiving, so most everyone will need to submit lineups affected in some way with those teams. So let’s run down the notable injuries with each of those teams.
Chicago: They won’t have Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder). They’re starting Chase Daniel, and I wonder if there will be much of a dropoff there? Daniel isn’t as athletic, but he’s been studying in the Andy Reid system for years. Daniel won’t run like Trubisky, of course, but his passing numbers might be just as good. There are 30 quarterbacks starting this week, and I think Daniel will be in the top 20. Bears also won’t have Adam Shaheen (concussion); they isolated him for an alley-oop touchdown on Sunday night in his first game of the season.
Detroit: No Kerryon Johnson and no Marvin Jones – out with knee injuries. They’ll use some combination of Theo Riddick, LeGarrette Blount and Zach Zenner at tailback. I have no interest in those guys (unless it’s PPR, and you’re playing for 5-6 catches for Riddick). With Jones out, I’m not sure the Lions will have much success passing either. Michael Roberts (shoulder) and Bruce Ellington (back) are both questionable, and they both have been limited in practice. I imagine they’ll play. Ellington made an impressive debut for the Lions on Sunday, catching 6 balls. Especially with Jones out, I think Ellington will have to catch 5-6 balls underneath.
Washington: They’ve ruled out Chris Thompson. They’re calling Jamison Crowder questionable, but he hasn’t practiced at all the last two weeks – he’s not playing. I think they’ll use Trey Quinn in the slot, and he caught 4 balls last week. Washington’s best offensive player is left tackle Trent Williams. His thumb is in a cast, but he’s been a limited participant in practice, so looks like there’s a decent chance he’ll play.
Dallas: The Cowboys have ruled out their starting tight end, Geoff Swaim, but he’s just a guy. More notably, they’ll be without two good defenders – David Irving and Sean Lee. Two of their standout offensive linemen are questionable, but both are expected to play (Zack Martin, Tyron Smith).
Atlanta: Deion Jones has been out for most of the year, and he’s not making it back for this game. Too bad for the Falcons. With his speed, he potentially could have helped on some plays trying to cover Alvin Kamara out of the backfield. Calvin Ridley has missed some practice time, but he’s playing.
New Orleans: Left tackle Terron Armstead (pectoral) is out. TreQuan Smith (foot) didn’t practice on Tuesday, but he returned as a limited participant today and they’re calling him questionable. I think that means he’ll be playing, but those planning on using Smith should sniff around on the internet tomorrow – make sure he’s active. If they rule out Smith, then I have interest in Keith Kirkwood as a Week 12 fill-in player. Kirkwood was on the practice squad two weeks ago, but he’s look pretty good in last two games, catching 5 passes against Cincinnati and Philadelphia – he’s big, and he can run.
—Ian Allan