Thanksgiving is set to have a fiery division matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
Unfortunately, both teams will each be without a key starter on offense. For the 49ers, they will be without starting right guard Spencer Burford. He's currently dealing with a knee injury, so his status for Thursday is in doubt. Kyle Shanahan said that if the game was on Sunday that he would likely be able to play. But the short week is going to potentially cost his availability.
Now, Burford hasn't been great at all this season. Losing him isn't that significant since the 49ers have a solid veteran in Jon Feliciano who will take over. He might actually be an upgrade there. The 49ers were already discussing rotating Burford and Feliciano before his injury. Feliciano had been starting at left guard for Aaron Banks who looks poised to return after missing the last two games with a toe injury.
As for the Seahawks, they are missing a more pivotal starter than the 49ers are. Running back Kenneth Walker III is listed as doubtful for this matchup. He sustained an oblique injury that knocked him out of the loss to the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday. So, the Seahawks will look to second-round rookie Zach Charbonnet to fill the void. Walker is a force in the running game, so the Seattle offense loses a threat.
This should make it easier for the 49ers to focus on the dynamic duo at wide receiver that the Seahawks have in D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Both receivers have been giving the 49ers fits for the last several years. With the running game losing some luster, it will hopefully give the 49ers better focus. Plus, Geno Smith is probably not going into the game healthy after he suffered an elbow injury against the Rams.
Both teams won't be at full strength, but it should still make for an exciting matchup.
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