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The Dallas Cowboys’ high-powered offense took a bit of a blow less than a week before their season-opening matchup against the New York Giants.
All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith will undergo thumb surgery and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Monday.
The surgery will force Smith to miss at least the first four games of the regular season while opening up a spot on the 53-man active roster.
“Tyler Smith is going to have surgery on his thumb tomorrow morning,” Schottenheimer said during his press conference. “It’s something that he’s just been dealing with.”
With Smith sidelined, offensive lineman T.J. Bass is slated to take over as the starting left guard. Bass joined the organization as an undrafted free agent and has made 10 career starts for Dallas, including five last year. The Cowboys retained Bass this offseason after placing a second-round restricted free agent tender on him.
Smith’s absence leaves a noticeable void in Dallas’ offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, Smith allowed just three sacks and 26 pressures last season. Since being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the three-time Pro Bowler has allowed only 12 sacks across four seasons and 63 career starts, per PFF.
Dallas opens the regular season on Sunday night against the Giants before rolling through an opening six-game stretch that includes matchups against the Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Green Bay Packers.
