Tyron Smith

Smith's absence could be a gut punch for the Cowboys considering their lack of proven depth at offensive tackle.

The concern with Waletzko is that he tips the scales at just 320 pounds despite his 6-8 frame, so he is a bit lean and lanky. The team chose him with the 24th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Tulsa, and he was expected to compete for a starting job at left guard before eventually kicking out to tackle. The FCS product had a lot of success at North Dakota and was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That allowed them to mix and match at the position as Collins was suspended to start the season and Smith dealt with injuries. As such, they will have to rely on their depth to fill in at the position. This lines up with his career trend of being sacked more often with Smith out of the lineup. Smith's injury is likely to have a negative impact on the Cowboys, and Prescott especially. So, Prescott's numbers without Smith may look OK, but the scoring ceiling simply isn't as high without him. That doesn't bode well for Smith's return considering that the 31-year-old tackle has dealt with several notable injuries to his back, knee and ankle during his career. In other words, the part of Smith's hamstring that connects to his knee pulled off the bone. However, it must be noted that Prescott buoyed his numbers without Smith in a Week 18 game last season during which the Eagles rested their starters. The Cowboys are going to be hard-pressed to adequately replace him and will have to rely on some very young, green candidates to start on the blind side — barring another roster move.

Left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to have surgery, according to reports, for a hamstring/knee injury he suffered in Wednesday's practice.

Adding a veteran tackle before the season began was a possibility even before Tyron Smith's injury and now it might be a necessity. "We'll have him at the right time," Jones said. That indeed appears to be the case. The left tackle suffered the injury on a running play in which he went five yards down the field and tried to block linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Smith likely will go to injured reserve next week when the roster is trimmed down to 53 players. Moments later, he was able to walk off and then was seen leaving the locker room without any braces or sleeves on his legs and had no noticeable limp.

The Dallas Cowboys had to make it through several games last season without Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith. The same will be true this season.

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The Cowboys may have lost one of their best players for a significant period of time. Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith suffered a torn left hamstring in ...

[Tyler Smith](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/67685/tyler-smith) played left tackle in college and might be called upon to do it now for the Cowboys, but prior to Tyron Smith’s injury, the Cowboys wanted Tyler Smith to play guard as a rookie. When healthy he has been among the best offensive linemen in the NFL. [Tyron Smith](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/2050/tyron-smith) suffered a [torn left hamstring](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34456052/dallas-cowboys-tyron-smith-suffers-severe-hamstring-injury-practice-sources-say) in Wednesday’s practice and could miss multiple months of the 2022 season, according to ESPN.

Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith suffered an avulsion fracture and had his hamstring rip off the bone. He might not return until December.

In both the short- and long-term, though, the Cowboys have been left bare by another brutal blow. [brutal video footage showed him writhing on the turf](https://twitter.com/disc_vinyl/status/1562593553401802753?s=20&t=K1ZtR_0_N_dhOEitw9Cvgw). It started with a few little dings; multiple injuries that stole three games in 2017, followed by another three games missed the next season.

Dallas' offensive line suffered a major blow Wednesday on a routine play.

](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-sign-kansas-city-chiefs-pro-bowler-eric-fisher-line-upgrade-rumor-move-tyron-smith-dak-prescott-preview) [CowboysSI.com](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/) has covered previously, Dallas could hit the free agent (or trade) market to search for an offensive lineman with proven experience. And after Wednesday's unexpected events, the Cowboys' offensive line is in for a tough season-opening test against a Buccaneers defense that recorded 47 sacks in 2021, good for seventh-best in the league. But as of now, Dallas will likely go with what its got in the offensive line room while remaining focused on getting Smith back as soon as possible. Dallas then hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 1 on Sept. "Everyone's trying to get over there and see if they're alright, get them back up." With Smith's indefinite absence, a hole at left tackle now emerges. All of a sudden I just see him over on the ground. Smith, 31, missed five games last season due to an ankle injury that kept him out at different points in November and December. He likely wouldn't directly fill Tyron's spot at left tackle though, as right tackle Terence Steele could switch sides and provide a much-needed presence. "I was the first person over there, I was in pass protection. [Dallas Cowboys](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-kavontae-turpin-tyreek-hill-miami-dolphins-preseason-dak-prescott-mike-mccarthy) continued practice prep Wednesday for Friday's final [preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks,](https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-seattle-seahawks-preseason-preview-dak-prescott-ezekiel-elliott-kavontae-turpin-roster) competitiveness turned to concern.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports. UPDATE: Tyron Smith will reportedly miss at least the first three months of the season, if not longer.

Zooming out for a bigger picture look at the NFC East, the Cowboys have been trending in the wrong direction since the season ended. By contrast, the Eagles have improved on paper and could be poised to make a step forward. If they chose to do that then Connor McGovern could play left guard, the position he has been competing for with Tyler Smith to this point. Perhaps he’ll be back in time for the Week 16 rematch on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately Smith entered the 2022 season having missed time in six straight seasons yet the team cut La’el Collins in the offseason and only added to the tackle group by drafting Matt Waletzko (with the pick that they got from the Amari Cooper trade). [#Cowboys]standout LT Tyron Smith actually suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee, meaning the hamstring tendon that sits at the back of the knee pulled off the bone and he needs surgery, sources say.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith has a torn left hamstring and could be sidelined for months, according to an ESPN report. Smith was injured during 11-on-11 drills in practice Wednesday night when he went to engage linebacker ...

Tyler Smith has been working at left guard but was the starting left tackle at Tulsa. The eight-time Pro Bowler has been hampered mostly by back, neck and shoulder injuries in recent years. If Smith misses significant time, rookie first-round pick Tyler Smith could replace him.

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith suffered a torn left hamstring Wednesday during practice, according to ESPN. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed ...

Smith played 11 games during the 2021 season. He walked out of the practice facility on his own power and didn’t appear to have a limp. [@FirstTake] that he’s not sure if Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (hamstring) will need surgery, but added: “It’s a setback.

The Cowboys could keep the door open by waiting until after the cut to 53 players to put Smith on injured reserve, but any move before that would eliminate the ...

The Cowboys could keep the door open by waiting until after the cut to 53 players to put Smith on injured reserve, but any move before that would eliminate the chance of playing again this year. [Mekhi Becton](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/58485/mekhi-becton) suffered one earlier this month and has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. [Tyron Smith](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/2050/tyron-smith).

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith needs surgery to repair an avulsion fracture in his left knee and could miss 12 weeks, NFL Network reported.

Neck surgery cost him all but two games in 2020, and ankle injuries and time on the COVID list limited him to 11 games last year. In 11 seasons with the Cowboys, he has started all 144 games he has played. Everyone is trying to get over there and see if they're all right and get them back up." We've got a defense that is probably as strong as we've had in years. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones conceded that Smith is expected to miss significant time due to the injury. Smith, 31, left Wednesday's practice with what was thought to be a severe hamstring injury.

What are the in-house and free agent options the Cowboys may consider with their star left tackle likely sidelined for months?

[Eric Fisher](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15790/eric-fisher) started 15 games at left tackle for the [Indianapolis Colts](/nfl/team/_/name/ind/indianapolis-colts) last season. He started 15 games at left tackle last season for the [Chicago Bears](/nfl/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bears), but he is 40 years old. While the Cowboys have the necessary salary-cap space to make a move, the price to get him could be too high. He was a Pro Bowler for the [Kansas City Chiefs](/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs) in 2020 but suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs. He started six games at left tackle last season and has started 21 games at right tackle in his first two NFL seasons. He is one of the best guards in football but showed he could handle the right tackle spot in his brief work there. Ball was a fourth-round pick in 2021 from Marshall and did not play a snap last season because of an ankle injury. At Tulsa, Smith started 21 games at left tackle the past two seasons. Martin played right tackle in 2020 only after the Cowboys ran out of workable options, and he suffered a calf strain. The sack rate goes from 4.2% with him to 6.2% without him. In that same time span, 12% of Elliott’s runs of 10 yards or more have come with Smith on the field; 9% without him. Over the past five seasons, running back

The Dallas Cowboys' offense likely needs to devise a new plan with linchpin left tackle Tyron Smith out for what could be an extended stretch.

Smith’s age is relevant: the 32-year-old is the Cowboys’ oldest and longest-tenured player. “I think he's benefited not only from the joint practices but the high quality of reps he's had in the first two preseason games. We’ve got a defense that’s probably as strong as we’ve had in years. The Cowboys’ left side of the line is now a deep question. “I think Josh Ball is growing each week, a great example of someone who needs the reps,” McCarthy said. Through the first five weeks of the schedule, Dallas faces a daunting lineup. Ball entered the first-team lineup Wednesday in Smith’s absence. … The offensive talent has to step up with a recognition we can’t count on what you might have had up there.” When Prescott was a rookie in 2016, his offensive line was a force. Tyler Smith, the Cowboys’ first-round rookie, had practiced at left guard through training camp with expectations he could edge 2019 third-rounder Connor McGovern for the lone open spot along the line. Exact timelines are still “preliminary,” a person with knowledge of Smith’s medical reports told USA TODAY Sports, but the best-case is the Cowboys’ most tenured player returns “toward end of season.” The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose medical information. Tests after Wednesday’s practice revealed Tyron Smith suffered a torn hamstring and knee fracture, his hamstring coming off the bone, per multiple reports.

The Cowboys are weighing all options with Tyron Smith now injured. Here's a look at four in-house candidates and then another option to look outside the ...

Steele did make six starts at left tackle filling in an injured Tyron Smith last season, however, and while Steele acknowledged switching sides presented some challenges at first, that might be something the Cowboys consider if they're looking for a more experienced in-house option to protect quarterback Dak Prescott's blind side. Tyler Smith started at left tackle in college and the Cowboys view him as the left tackle of the future. Ball has gotten a huge amount of left tackle reps in practice and preseason games so far, including some with the first-team offense because the Cowboys have been mindful of Tyron Smith's workload even before this hamstring injury.

Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith is unlikely to return before December after his left hamstring tore and came off the bone during Wednesday's practice.

[Josh Ball](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4035626/josh-ball), who was selected in the fourth round last year but did not play as a rookie because of an ankle injury, at left tackle with the first team when Smith has taken breaks. 1 pick in 2013, is unsigned after starting 15 games last season for the [Indianapolis Colts](/nfl/team/_/name/ind/indianapolis-colts). The injury continues a string of injuries in recent years for Tyron Smith, who has not played a full season since 2015 as he has dealt with knee, ankle, neck and elbow injuries. [Dak Prescott](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2577417/dak-prescott)'s blind side, creates a gaping hole on an offensive line that was already dealing with questions before the Sept. The Cowboys like his strength and makeup but wanted him to focus on one position during training camp. He missed 14 games in 2020 because of neck surgery. Tyler Smith took snaps at left tackle during organized team activities and minicamp. He is also dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out of the past two practices. "The time frame is a factor, but we'll step up there and make do," Jones told ESPN after his First Take appearance. When we get there healthy, we can make that run in the playoffs. "... "We want it pushed up there where we're in the lead.

Dallas plans to use in-house replacements to replace Smith, who's dealt with injuries over the past several seasons.

A [further report](https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1562787207370252290) from [NFL](/nfl) Network clarified that Smith suffered an avulsion fracture in his knee, which involves the hamstring tendon tearing off the bone. The former was expected to be replaced by first-round pick [Tyler Smith](/nfl/players/3121353/tyler-smith/), whom the team identified as its left tackle of the future but also someone who could start at guard next to Tyron Smith in the short term. Star left tackle [Tyron Smith](/nfl/players/1631899/tyron-smith/) suffered a torn hamstring while making a block during practice, [according to ESPN](https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1562660450332213254).

Se espera que el tackle izquierdo Tyron Smith sea operado por una lesión en el tendón de la corva/rodilla que sufrió en la práctica del miércoles.

Los Cowboys también podrían explorar opciones fuera del edificio y agregar un tackle veterano, especialmente porque se espera que Tyron Smith se pierda la mayor parte de la temporada. El tackle veterano tendrá que estar en la lista durante al menos un día, antes de ser trasladado a IR, si los Cowboys tienen intenciones de traerlo de vuelta en algún momento de la temporada. Los Cowboys no han hecho un anuncio oficial sobre la lesión, pero varios informes indican que Smith necesitará una cirugía en el tendón de la corva. Los Cowboys ahora deben descifrar su plan para la posición de tackle izquierdo. "Lo tendremos en ese juego de San Francisco (playoffs), o el equivalente, que tuvimos el año pasado, y tal vez no nos quedemos cortos". El tackle izquierdo sufrió la lesión en una jugada de carrera en la que recorrió cinco yardas por el campo e intentó bloquear al apoyador Leighton Vander Esch.

El tackle izquierdo de los Cowboys, Tyron Smith, se desgarró el tendón de la corva izquierdo el miércoles por la noche durante la práctica final del...

Los Cowboys tenían problemas con el tackle antes de la lesión de Tyron Smith. Los Cowboys evaluaron a los agentes libres y posibles agentes libres como tackle ofensivo antes de la grave lesión del miércoles, y un funcionario del equipo señaló recientemente la dificultad de encontrar ayuda externa de calidad en la posición. ESPN informó por primera vez sobre un desgarro en el tendón de la corva que podría costarle a Smith meses de la temporada.

Alarcón ha sido usado como guardia y tackle izquierdo en la pretemporada, pero todo indica que el plan de los Cowboys es desarrollarlo como guardia.

Bueno, cuando le pregunté a un experto así fue como la definió: “Fractura avulsión de la inserción de los tendones isquiotibiales en la epífisis próximal de la tibia”. “Lo tendremos en el momento adecuado”, dijo Jones. Se trata de una lesión rara en la rodilla. Alarcón ha sido usado como guardia y tackle izquierdo en la pretemporada, pero todo indica que el plan de los Cowboys es desarrollarlo como guardia. Aunque Dallas usó la selección de primera ronda en el tackle Tyler Smith en el Draft 2022, los Cowboys planean usarlo como guardia izquierdo esta temporada, pero hasta ahora está detrás de Connor McGovern en el depth chart no oficial del equipo. [Tyron Smith](https://us.as.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys-pierden-a-tyron-smith-por-meses-n/), el tackle izquierdo de los Dallas [Cowboys](https://us.as.com/nfl/mike-mccarthy-y-su-ultimo-intento-como-coach-de-los-cowboys-n/), volvió a lesionarse.

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he expects left tackle Tyron Smith to return this season after sustaining a torn left hamstring ...

“The offensive talent has got to step up with the recognition that we can’t count on what you might have had up there.” The opener is against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. If Tyler Smith moves to left tackle, third-year player Connor McGovern is the likely choice at left guard. But in the meantime we’ve got a guy named Tyler Smith who’s come on the scene.” Tyler Smith has been working at left guard but was the starting left tackle at Tulsa. Tyler Biadasz, another third-year player, is the center.

Jerry Jones, team owner, displaying unwavering faith isn't necessarily a bad thing. But Jerry Jones, general manager? That's more of an issue.

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Money? Injuries? Personal issues? An NFL team is obviously more privy to those details than most of us are. But ...

Dallas now needs an Eric Fisher-level player to plug in at left tackle to make sure the season doesn’t go down with him. Last season he took a reduction with a one-year, $8.4 million deal with the Colts. We may agree with the powers that be on a potential hole in the roster ... … like retired Rams star Andrew Whitworth, who on Thursday said he fielded a Cowboys call. Fisher was a $12 million APY guy in his final years with the Chiefs. We do not pretend to know all the ins and outs of the Dallas Cowboys' personnel-related decision-making.

Dallas Cowboys stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith suffered a non-contact injury during a scrimmage Wednesday night and will miss significant time.

[Eric Fisher](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/eric-fisher/7783): Fisher started for the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://www.pff.com/nfl/teams/kansas-city-chiefs/16) for eight seasons before playing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. [Jason Peters](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/jason-peters/2148): Peters signed with the [Chicago Bears](https://www.pff.com/nfl/teams/chicago-bears/6) in August of 2021 and earned a 77.5 overall grade, his 14th grade above 70.0 out of 15 NFL seasons. Smith's 91.2 grade over his final two college seasons ranked fourth among qualifying left tackles. Ball didn't play in 2021 but earned an 84.6 grade from 2019 to 2020 during his time at Marshall, 13th among qualifying left tackles. He has two years remaining on his current deal and would cost Dallas just $19.535M total through 2023 following a recent contract restructure. PFF Grade Rank PFF grade [Josh Ball](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/josh-ball/40733) has been the backup left tackle in camp. [Laremy Tunsil](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/laremy-tunsil/10647): Tunsil has earned pass-block grades above 75.0 in every season of his career but has played just 1,079 total snaps over the last two seasons. Peters' 2.94 Wins Above Replacement (PFF WAR) generated over his career is the second-most of all tackles in the PFF era. [Dallas Cowboys](https://www.pff.com/nfl/teams/dallas-cowboys/9) stalwart left tackle [Tyron Smith](https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/tyron-smith/6161) suffered a non-contact injury during a scrimmage Wednesday night and will miss significant time. [back for the playoffs](https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/1562827725827493890?s=20&t=oa8O28RqRuuLuAGDzWIk-g) — if the Cowboys make the postseason.

The Cowboys All-Decade LT is going to miss multiple months with an avulsion fracture in his knee.

The team also drafted Matt Waletzko in the fifth round this year but he has been dealing with a shoulder injury for most of training camp. 1 overall pick in 2013 who started 15 games for the Indianapolis Colts last season. A trade between the two rivals is unlikely, however.

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly looking at in-house options to replace Tyron Smith, and are not looking to sign Andrew Whitworth.

How will the Cowboys proceed with their season without one of their best players? Now, the team is scrambling to find a replacement for their offensive line. The Dallas Cowboys have a problem with their offensive line.

News of Tyron Smith's major leg injury and a 3-4 month absence has been rocking Cowboys Nation for the last two days. While there's hope that Dallas'

[2022 season](https://insidethestar.com/tag/2022-season/). While Frederick’s early [retirement](https://insidethestar.com/tag/retirement/) after 2019 was forced by a different kind of medical issue, no doubt it’s given Smith some thoughts about how long he needs to keep playing. It means that whatever moves are made now to replace him have worked out and left the offense solvent, if not better, for 2022 and beyond. While there’s hope that Dallas’ starting left [tackle](https://insidethestar.com/tag/tackle/) could return in December, or at least for the [playoffs](https://insidethestar.com/tag/playoffs/), one can’t help but wonder if we’ll ever see Tyron play another snap for the Cowboys. It’s entirely possible that Tyler Smith or whoever else is tried at LT won’t pass muster, leaving us all anxiously hoping for Tyron’s return later this year. He may simply be done with that fight and choose to retire. He’s clearly breaking down from the mileage now. While Tyler Smith presents a unique case for investing in the future, that same basic logic applies to the other options as well. Would the Cowboys risk breaking that rhythm just to get Tyron Smith back on the field for a few games? Dallas can clear about $9.5 million in cap space in 2023 if Smith is released outright, which given his injury issues now feels more like an eventuality than a possibility. If this does prove to be a season-ending injury, it’s entirely realistic that Dallas may not have him back in 2023. There are legitimate reasons why Tyron may not come back on the timetable that’s been suggested.