George Pickens is set to suit up on Thanksgiving, and Dallas can finally breathe again. The Cowboys spent most of this short week wondering if their star receiver would miss Thursday’s showdown with the Chiefs after dealing with knee and calf issues. The concern grew after two light practices, but things shifted Wednesday morning when Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Pickens is expected to play. That settled things fast and changed the entire feel around the building.
“Despite being limited by calf and knee injuries in practice this week, Cowboys WR George Pickens is expected to play on Thanksgiving against the Chiefs, per source.” — reported Wednesday morning by Dianna Russini, The Athletic.
Despite being limited by calf and knee injuries in practice this week, Cowboys WR George Pickens is expected to play on Thanksgiving against the Chiefs, per source.https://t.co/dX978SFjLR pic.twitter.com/RNmqbcwqQD
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 26, 2025
George Pickens Stays Locked in for a Huge Thanksgiving Spotlight
Dallas Cowboys, George Pickens, NFL
Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Pickens has turned into the Cowboys’ engine, and his timing couldn’t be more critical. Dallas just bounced back with a wild victory against the Eagles – what started as a mess turned frantic, then finally settled when Brandon Aubrey nailed the winning kick. Pickens sparked that turnaround, riding hot hands now for two games running. Nine catches each time, pushed past 140 yards twice, proving again how much they count on him once pressure hits.
As the week opened, this match-up already carried enough pressure. Then the injury report dropped and shifted the tone. Pickens sat out early, and Dallas labeled it soreness. That alone didn’t sound alarming, but with a short week, nothing felt guaranteed. However, many reports provided encouraging updates, and Russini confirmed it the next morning, which solidified the expectation that he would play.
Meanwhile, Pickens continues to stack numbers that place him in rare company. He sits at 1,054 receiving yards, second in the NFL. He has eight touchdowns, right near the top of the league. He also kicked off his Cowboys run with a historic burst, putting up 300 yards and four scores in his first four games. No Dallas receiver had ever opened his tenure that way. Even now, 11 weeks in, his production hasn’t dipped.
Then comes the coaching angle. Russini noted how Brian Schottenheimer and Junior Adams helped Pickens find a rhythm in Dallas. Their influence shows in his routes, timing, and overall confidence. It feels like everything fell into place at once.
Now Thanksgiving arrives with a massive stage, Patrick Mahomes on the other sideline, and Dallas fighting to stay relevant in the playoff race. Pickens’ playing changes everything. Dallas needs him sharp, available, and ready for another heavy workload. And with Wednesday’s update, that’s precisely what they’re getting.