“That Is Massive, Wow” Packers Fans Shocked As Dolphins Rule Out Two Massive Players For Thanksgiving

The Green Bay Packers (8-3) and Miami Dolphins (5-6) are both coming off strong wins in week 12. Green Bay took care of the San Francisco 49ers 38-10 to keep pace with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

Miami is coming off a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots that kept their playoff hopes alive. However, if Miami wants to keep winning, they’re going to have to do so without two key pieces on Thanksgiving Night in Lambeau Field.

“That Is Massive, Wow” Packers Fans Shocked As Dolphins Rule Out Two Massive Players For Thanksgiving

According to Adam Stites of USA Today:

The Miami Dolphins expect to be without linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and cornerback Kendall Fuller for a Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday.

While both are big losses for the Miami defense, the team may not be without the pair of starters much longer.

Walker, 29, injured his hamstring on a play Sunday without making any contact with a New England Patriots player. While he exited the game and didn’t return, McDaniel said tests have shown the injury isn’t too serious and he likely won’t miss extensive time.

Bills Ray Davis tries to squeeze through an opening but was taken down by Miami’s Anthony Walker Jr. during first half action at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 3, 2024. © Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

But with Walker expected to miss at least one game, the Dolphins will presumably turn to former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson to take a spot in the starting lineup. Dodson, who was claimed off waivers two weeks ago, replaced Walker in the lineup Sunday and finished with an interception in the Week 12 win.

Fuller, 29, has been out of action since suffering a concussion — his second of the 2024 season — in a Week 10 win against the Los Angeles Rams. In his absence, the Dolphins have mostly relied on undrafted rookie Storm Duck to fill his place.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during their football game Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It will be interesting to see how Green Bay will try to exploit Miami’s defense given these injuries. Here is a look at Fuller’s stats so far this season:

					Def Interceptions					Fumbles						Tackles
Date	Team		Opp	Result	Int	Yds	IntTD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	FRTD	Sk	Comb	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sfty
2024-11-11	MIA	@	LAR	W 23-15	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0.0	5	4	1	0	0
2024-11-03	MIA	@	BUF	L 27-30	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	5	3	2	0	0
2024-10-27	MIA		ARI	L 27-28	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	2	2	0	0	0
2024-10-20	MIA	@	IND	L 10-16	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	7	6	1	0	0
2024-10-06	MIA	@	NWE	W 15-10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	1	0	1	0	0
2024-09-22	MIA	@	SEA	L 3-24	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	3	2	1	0	0
2024-09-12	MIA		BUF	L 10-31	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	4	2	2	0	0
2024-09-08	MIA		JAX	W 20-17	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	6	4	2	0	0