Cowboys: Juanyeh Thomas set to receive huge opportunity in Week 12

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be without starting safety Jayron Kearse on Thanksgiving when the team hosts the Washington Commanders in Week 12. 

After missing practice for three straight days during the short week, Kearse was listed as doubtful for Thursday's game. That combined with the team's elevation of DB Sheldrick Redwine pretty much confirms the veteran is set to be inactive.

While that's tough news for a defense that lives in a three-safety world very often, it also presents a huge opportunity for a rising second-year player: Safety Juanyeh Thomas, who blocked the New York Giants' field goal attempt in Week 1. 

Thomas has established himself as John Fassel's special teams ace in the absence of C.J. Goodwin. Through eleven weeks of the season, the Cowboys have played Thomas the most on special teams. Now, Thomas could see a ramp-up in defensive playing time.

Thomas has played 105 snaps on defense (17%) with most of that coming in the Cowboys' blowout wins. On Thursday, he could be the guy to make up for Kearse's absence. He sure looked good in the preseason and if he seizes the opportunity, he could end up earning a bigger role on defense. While he isn't considered a challenger for Kearse's role, Thomas could build on an already strong impression two years into his career (at one point, a coach prayed every day for him to not be poached from the practice squad). 

The Cowboys could also opt to play Rashaan Evans more at linebacker in certain situations, as Dallas usually plays Kearse as some sort of S/LB hybrid. How exactly Quinn goes about replacing No. 1 will be intriguing.

Cowboys Final Injury Report for Week 12

The only other player carrying a game status for Thursday is Rico Dowdle, listed as questionable. Despite an ankle injury suffered one day before Week 11's meeting with the Carolina Panthers, Dowdle played on Sunday. Every other player, including CeeDee Lamb, is ready to go.