George Pickens injury update: Cowboys WR surprisingly listed on Monday injury report

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was listed as a non-participant on Monday’s estimated injury report, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pickens is dealing with knee and calf injuries.

Fellow wideout KaVontae Turpin joined Pickens on the injury report with a shoulder injury, as well as an illness. Pickens and Turpin were both key contributors in Sunday’s 24-21 Week 12 home victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickens hauled in nine passes for 146 yards and a score. Turpin had a big 48-yard reception late in the second quarter.

Pickens has come up clutch all season, his first with the Cowboys, who host the Kansas City Chiefs Thanksgiving Day. The 24-year-old is second in the NFL in receiving. He has 67 receptions for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns.

“It’s hard for me to say he exceeds my expectations,” quarterback Dak Prescott said of Pickens after Sunday’s game, via the team’s official website. “My expectations are limitless with that guy, and he’ll tell you, he’s not from here. I am sure you all read his article [in the Player’s Tribune]. He’s not from here. He’s not from this planet.”

“I’m not gonna put limitations on him. … The guy loves the game, stays focused, and the communication, I know I’ve mentioned before, but [he talks] to other guys in the huddle about staying focused and to just keep doing what they’re doing.”

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Pickens’ rookie deal is up after this season. Dallas can sign Pickens to a long-term extension, or they can franchise tag him. Either way, he would like to be back in Dallas next season and potentially beyond.

“I’d love to be back,” Pickens said Thursday, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “Especially with [CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott], all the guys really.”

The feeling is mutual for team owner/general manager Jerry Jones: “Of course, of course. We are proud to have him, and I don’t even want to play games with it. We’d love to have him on the team. By the way, I’d love to have [CeeDee Lamb] on the team. And I know what we’re asking around here, but we sure like the way the combination is really letting us execute on offense.

“… I’m proud he’s having the season he’s having. It exceeds anything we could have hoped for.”