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Playing football on Thanksgiving can be fun, but it can lead to injuries-especially for people who don't usually play.

"Playing in a Turkey Bowl is a great way to get some exercise and burn off those pumpkin pie calories," said Dr. Pietro Tonino, program director of sports medicine at the Loyola University School of Medicine, according to HealthDay. "But make sure you play smart to stay safe."

Tonino gave a few tips on reducing the risk of injury:

-Try not to tackle. Instead, play touch or flag football.

- Warm up by jogging or doing jumping jacks.

-Try not to wear cleats because it could cause your foot to be stuck in one position while the rest of your body is moving.

-Wear a mouth guard to prevent broken teeth.

-Don't drink alcohol before playing football.

-Stretch after the game to prevent muscle soreness.