Chiefs and Cowboys Gear Up for Thanksgiving Showdown Amid Injury Concerns

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys are preparing for their Thanksgiving Day showdown, with several key player updates influencing the matchup. Chiefs’ starting running back Isiah Pacheco is targeting his return from a knee injury, while Cowboys left tackle Jamaree Guyton is considered unlikely to play due to a high ankle sprain.

Pacheco, 26, has been sidelined since October 27 after sustaining the injury during a game against the Minnesota Vikings. Prior to his injury, he averaged 4.2 rushing yards per attempt. Coach Andy Reid expressed optimism about Pacheco’s recovery, stating, “I think he’s coming out pretty good. I think that’s a plus.” If Pacheco plays, he’ll have time to recover ahead of Week 14’s prime-time game against the Chicago Bears.

Without Pacheco, the Chiefs leaned heavily on veteran running back Kareem Hunt in their recent comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts. Hunt posted season highs with 30 rushing attempts and 104 rushing yards, contributing significantly to the Chiefs’ success.

Meanwhile, Guyton’s injury occurred during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the sprain being described as “milder,” the short turnaround before the Thanksgiving game poses a challenge for his recovery. Should Guyton be unable to play, the Cowboys would likely start Tyron Smith at left tackle, marking Smith’s second career start.

This matchup is crucial for both teams fighting for playoff positioning. The Cowboys have shown resilience in their recent games, pulling off a notable comeback win against the Eagles. Quarterback Dak Prescott emphasized the importance of winning every game as they approach the holiday matchup, stating, “We just have to find that, and it really starts at practice and at these walkthroughs in the next couple of days getting ready for Kansas City.”

Both teams are expected to deliver strong performances as they compete for a win on Thanksgiving, ready to leverage any advantage presented by the absence of key players on the opposing side.