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Head Coach Matt LaFleur Breaks Silence on Packers Superstar’s Shoulder Injury

Packers' Matt LaFleur Reveals Potential Secret Weapon

Green Bay, Wisconsin: It is no longer a rumor. Head Coach Matt LaFleur has finally confirmed what Packers fans feared. The team’s superstar is battling a left shoulder injury just as the season enters its most critical stretch.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, LaFleur addressed the injury for the first time after the quarterback appeared on the official injury report. According to the coach, the injury occurred during last week’s win over the New York Giants when the quarterback landed hard on his left shoulder after being tackled from behind.

🗣️ “He’s a true warrior. Despite the pain, he completed every practice rep and did not miss a single snap. No one in this building questions his toughness,” LaFleur said.

Jordan Love just issued a Mahomes-level warning Packers fans already saw  coming

Sources inside the team suggest the injury is likely a shoulder strain or soft tissue contusion around the left joint, not a structural tear, but still painful during throwing motions or direct contact.

During Sunday’s victory over the Minnesota Vikings, the quarterback noticeably relied solely on his right arm to deliver throws and avoided scrambling situations that could risk further aggravation. Remarkably, his performance showed no significant drop-off, proving just how mentally and physically tough he is.

He admitted:
“It’s one of those things I can play through. Obviously, any time you land on it or get hit, you feel it. But nothing is holding me back. There’s nothing I can’t play through.”

More than just a physical challenge, this injury becomes a mental test as the Packers prepare for one of their biggest games of the season. A Thanksgiving Day clash with the Detroit Lions. The outcome could reshape the NFC North playoff race.

🎯 Injury Breakdown

  • Injury: Left shoulder, likely soft tissue bruise or strain, painful during motion and contact

  • Practice status: Full participant this week, not limited

  • Game availability: Expected to play barring setbacks

  • Recent history: Previously suffered a left thumb injury in the summer and has experience throwing one-handed

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    GAME PREVIEW: Cowboys vs Chiefs Week 13 - Thanksgiving Showdown At AT&T Stadium, And This Time It Is Personal For Dallas
    The Week 13 clash between the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs is not just another primetime NFL game. It is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving Day football in 2025, played on the biggest possible stage for Cowboys fans: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Both teams are fighting to stay in the playoff race, with the Chiefs sitting 10th in the AFC and the Cowboys 10th in the NFC. For Dallas fans, this is the perfect chance to knock off the recent dynasty of the AFC right in Jerry World and send a statement to the entire league. Game Time, Location And How To Watch Kickoff: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Nickname: "Jerry World", with around 80,000 seats and an iconic retractable roof plus a massive center hung LED screen Weather: Around 62°F (16 to 17°C), mild and comfortable conditions Broadcast: USA: Live on CBS, streaming on Paramount+ Vietnam and worldwide: Available through NFL Game Pass or international sports channels that carry NFL Halftime will be a full entertainment show of its own. Post Malone, a long time Cowboys fan, will perform as part of the Red Kettle Kickoff for The Salvation Army. If Dallas is leading at halftime, the stadium atmosphere will be absolutely electric. Recent Form And Team Identity Kansas City Chiefs Record: 6–5 overall, 1–4 on the road Head Coach: Andy Reid Profile: Elite defense, inconsistent offense on the road The Chiefs are coming off a dramatic 23–20 overtime win over the Colts, powered by Patrick Mahomes in crunch time. However, this is not the same explosive Kansas City offense that dominated the league in past Super Bowl runs. In 2025, they lean heavily on a top tier defense that ranks near the top of the NFL in points allowed. Their offense has been up and down, especially away from Arrowhead, which opens a window of opportunity for the Cowboys if they can make Mahomes uncomfortable early. Dallas Cowboys Record: 5–5–1 overall, 3–1–1 at home Momentum: Two straight wins, including a 24–21 comeback victory over the Eagles Key change: The trade for DT Quinnen Williams has transformed the run defense The Cowboys enter this game trending upward. The offense has already scored 320 points this season, and the defense is starting to catch up after the addition of Quinnen Williams. At AT&T Stadium, Dallas plays with a different energy. For Cowboys fans, this is exactly the type of opponent and the type of stage you want: a chance to knock down the reigning power of the AFC and prove that this team belongs in the playoff conversation again. Injury Report: Offensive Weapons In The Spotlight Injuries could play a massive role in how this game unfolds on both sides of the ball. Chiefs Injury Highlights: TE Noah Gray: DNP (concussion) OG Trey Smith: DNP (ankle) LB Leo Chenal: LP (knee) WR Rashee Rice: LP (hamstring) WR Xavier Worthy: LP (ankle) QB Patrick Mahomes: FP (groin) RB Isiah Pacheco: FP (knee) The most concerning name for Kansas City is Trey Smith. If he cannot go or is clearly limited, the interior of the Chiefs offensive line could be exposed by the Cowboys defensive front. A limited Rashee Rice would also hurt Mahomes in the passing game. Cowboys Injury Highlights: OT Tyler Guyton: DNP (ankle) DT Osa Odighizuwa: DNP (elbow) WR George Pickens: DNP (knee) WR KaVontae Turpin: DNP (shoulder) DE Jadeveon Clowney: LP (neck) DE Dante Fowler Jr.: LP (shoulder) S Malik Hooker: LP (toe) S Donovan Wilson: LP (neck) CB Daron Bland: FP (wrist) For Cowboys fans, the biggest concerns are: George Pickens: The breakout wide receiver who already has over 1,000 receiving yards this season. If he cannot play, more pressure falls on CeeDee Lamb and the rest of the receiving unit. Tyler Guyton: The young tackle has had issues with penalties but losing him against a creative Chiefs pass rush is not ideal. On the positive side, Daron Bland being full participant is huge. His presence in the secondary gives Dallas more flexibility in coverage against Rice, Worthy and the rest of Mahomes targets. Betting Odds And Predictions Sportsbooks currently lean slightly toward the Chiefs because of Mahomes and their track record in big games. Spread: Chiefs around -4.5 or Cowboys +3.5 depending on the book Over/Under: 52.5 points Moneyline: Chiefs roughly -190, Cowboys around +160 Several analysts are picking a close Cowboys win at home, with score predictions like 27–24 Dallas. The logic behind that angle includes: Dak Prescott generally plays his best ball at home The Cowboys defense has taken a step forward since adding Quinnen Williams The Chiefs have been an under machine this year because of their defense and inconsistent offense From a Cowboys fan perspective, this is the perfect spot to believe in a statement win. National audience, Thanksgiving energy, and a vulnerable Chiefs offense on the road. Key Matchups To Watch Dak Prescott vs Patrick Mahomes This is one of the premier quarterback matchups possible in the NFL right now. Mahomes is the standard for playoff excellence and clutch moments. Dak is fighting to prove he can lead the Cowboys on a deep postseason run and win the biggest games on the biggest stages. For Dallas to win, Dak must: Protect the football and avoid forced throws Convert third downs, especially medium and long situations Capitalize on every red zone trip with touchdowns, not field goals Cowboys Receivers vs Chiefs Secondary If George Pickens is healthy enough to play, Dallas can line up two legitimate number one type threats: George Pickens as the explosive, contested catch deep threat CeeDee Lamb as the volume, chain moving, multipurpose weapon If Pickens is out, Chiefs can roll more coverage toward Lamb and dare Dak to trust Brandin Cooks, tight ends and backs out of the backfield. How the Cowboys adjust here will be a critical storyline. Quinnen Williams And The Dallas Front vs Chiefs Offensive Line The blueprint to slowing Mahomes has not changed: Collapse the pocket from the inside Force him to move sideways and hold the ball Make him play extended downs against a disciplined secondary Quinnen Williams is exactly the type of interior force who can wreck drives. If he and, health permitting, Osa Odighizuwa can win consistently against a banged up Chiefs interior, Mahomes will be under constant stress. That is how Dallas can steal extra possessions or force Kansas City into field goals instead of touchdowns. History, Narrative And Off Field Buzz The Cowboys are 5–0 at home against the Chiefs all time. Their last notable Thanksgiving meeting in Dallas dates back to 1995, a Cowboys win, which makes this year the 30 year mark. Patrick Mahomes is a Texas native, roughly 1.5 hours from Dallas by car, so this game is also a homecoming on some level. The Cowboys are 34–22–1 on Thanksgiving, extremely familiar and comfortable in this holiday spotlight. On X and across social media, the game is being hyped as: "The battle of America’s teams" One side is the traditional America’s Team, the Cowboys. The other is the modern NFL empire led by Mahomes and Andy Reid. What This Game Means For Cowboys Fans This matchup is more than just another line in the schedule. For Cowboys fans, a win here would mean: Beating Mahomes and the Chiefs on a national holiday game Protecting Jerry World and extending the unbeaten home record vs Kansas City Proving that this roster is not just fun to watch, but actually ready to contend For Dallas to get it done, the formula looks like this: Win the turnover battle and keep Dak clean. Lean into the improved front seven and make life miserable for Mahomes. Finish drives in the red zone and feed off the crowd energy. If the Cowboys pull off a Thanksgiving win over the Chiefs at AT&T Stadium, it will not just be another regular season victory. It will feel like a statement: The Dallas Cowboys are not just a brand. They are back to being a real threat in the chase for a championship.