How Rashee Rice, Josh Jacobs, Tee Higgins injuries impact fantasy football for Thanksgiving games
We examine how the injury statuses of Rashee Rice, Josh Jacobs, and Tee Higgins impact the fantasy football outlook for NFL Thanksgiving Day games in Week 13
16:39 ET, 24 Nov 2025
Tee Higgins was ruled out for the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day game with a concussion(Image: Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Thanksgiving Day in the NFL is almost here, and a three-game slate as mouth-watering as your dinner plate is on tap.
The triple-header kicks off with an NFC North rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Dallas Cowboys, before the nightcap features the return of Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals face the Baltimore Ravens.
Several key fantasy football players will have injury designations heading into Thursday, including Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, Packers running back Josh Jacobs, and Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Let’s discuss how these injuries impact the fantasy football outlook for the Thanksgiving Day action.
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Rashee Rice
Rice left the Chiefs’ Week 12 overtime win against the Colts with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, but later returned to the game to finish with eight catches for 141 yards.
Even though Rice nor head coach Andy Reid mentioned the injury that forced him out of the game during post game media availability, the third-year wide out’s status is one to watch ahead of Thursday.
As of now, Rice is a must start in all fantasy league formats for Week 13, especially when facing a Cowboys pass defense that allows the third-most passing yards per game (252.3) this season.
If Rice is limited in the game, Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce and Hollywood Brown will benefit from a fantasy perspective.
Rashee Rice briefly left the Chiefs’ Week 12 win against the Colts with a hamstring injury(Image: Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Josh Jacobs
Jacobs’ injury status is a bit trickier, with the Packers running back missing his first game of the season in Week 12 due to a left knee contusion. Emanuel Wilson filled in impressively, rushing 28 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 23-6 win over the Vikings.
Jacobs likely would have played in the game if not for the quick turnaround in Week 13, but the star back has yet to be ruled active for Thanksgiving. Green Bay will need to be smart with Jacobs, who they desperately need for the home stretch and playoff run.
His status will need monitoring throughout the week. If he is active, he is a fantasy football must start and Wilson can go on the bench. If not, Wilson should be in your starting lineup after his huge haul in Week 12.
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Tee Higgins
Higgins was poised for a huge fantasy day in Week 12 with Ja’Marr Chase out suspended, but the Bengals wide out’s day ended early when he was ruled out with a concussion.
Higgins has already been ruled out for Thanksgiving against the Ravens, a brutal blow for Cincinnati’s offense, which is set to get star quarterback Joe Burrow back for the first time since Week 2.
Chase will return from suspension in this game, and will be Burrow’s go-to man. Fellow wide receiver Andrei Iosivas and tight ends Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant are worth a punt in deeper fantasy leagues.
