The Dallas Cowboys' offensive line will be without its anchor for the foreseeable future. All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith is scheduled to undergo thumb surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks, head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed to reporters on Monday. The three-time Pro Bowler will be placed on injured reserve, a significant blow as Dallas prepares for its season opener against the New York Giants on September 13.
According to Schottenheimer, the injury involves a ligament in Smith's thumb that has been bothering the fifth-year veteran for some time. After attempting to play through the discomfort, Smith's grip strength remained compromised, prompting the decision to opt for surgery. "At the end of the day, he felt like he couldn't do things he needs to do at a high level," Schottenheimer said, via The Athletic's Jon Machota. "This is a long season, so let's go get it fixed."
Next Man Up: T.J. Bass Steps In
With Smith sidelined, fourth-year guard T.J. Bass will step into the starting left guard role. Bass appeared in 16 games last season, making five starts, and has earned the trust of the coaching staff. "That's why we coveted T.J. Bass," Schottenheimer added. "He's played a lot of really good football for us and we expect he will continue to do so."
Despite the setback, the Cowboys' offensive line remains formidable. Center Cooper Beebe and right guard Tyler Booker anchor the interior, while Tyler Guyton holds down the left tackle spot. On the right side, recently acquired Broderick Jones is competing with veteran Terence Steele for the starting job. Last season, this unit helped Dallas accumulate 6,663 total yards, the second-highest mark in the NFL.
Smith's Impact and Road to Recovery
Smith, 25, has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys' line since being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Tulsa. He has started 63 games over four seasons, playing 98% of offensive snaps when active. His discipline is notable—last season, he was flagged for only seven penalties, including just three holding calls. The 6-foot-5, 328-pound lineman's absence will be felt, but the Cowboys remain confident in their depth.
As the Cowboys gear up for a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Giants, the offensive line will need to gel quickly. Bass will have the unenviable task of protecting quarterback Dak Prescott against a fierce Giants pass rush. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk will be monitoring Smith's recovery timeline and the line's performance in his absence. With a 17-game season, the Cowboys are banking on Smith returning to full strength for the stretch run.
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