The injury list to monitor isn’t that big this week, but two names bear watching for a pair of Thanksgiving NFL games next Thursday.
Before getting to that, it’s worth mentioning that neither Wes Welker nor Julius Thomas practiced on Wednesday for Denver. Those are two of Peyton Manning’s three key receiving targets.
Welker is dealing with a concussion. He’s expected to be all right for Denver’s Sunday night road game against New England. Thomas, a huge Red Zone target with a team-leading 10 touchdowns, has a knee injury and may not play.
Barring a setback, Nate Burleson should be back this week for Detroit giving the Lions an upgraded weapon in the slot when they take on Tampa Bay. Since Darrelle Revis will be squared off against Calvin Johnson, Burleson could be a big producer since the rest of the
Buccaneers’ secondary isn’t that strong and will be without suspended safety Dashon Goldson.
There are three nationally televised NFL Thanksgiving games with the middle one being Oakland at Dallas. The Raiders have been without left tackle Jared Veldheer the entire season. Veldheer, the team’s best offensive lineman, suffered a torn triceps in August. He’s expected to make his season debut against Dallas.
Aaron Rodgers should be ready to return to action on Thanksgiving against Detroit. That doesn’t mean the Packers will play him, though. Rodgers suffered a broken left collarbone. He’s actually OK to play now, but he’s extremely vulnerable in the collarbone area. If Rodgers
took a bad hit there his career could be in jeopardy.
The Packers should beat the Vikings this Sunday with backup Scott Tolzien. If Green Bay were to lose, though, they might give up the season rather than risk Rodgers in a long shot attempt to make the playoffs.
