The Dallas Cowboys are facing a significant challenge ahead of the upcoming season, as left guard Tyler Smith will undergo surgery on a torn ligament in his left thumb. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced that Smith will be placed on injured reserve designated to return, with an expected recovery time of four to six weeks.
Smith has been dealing with this injury throughout training camp, although the exact timeline of when it first occurred has not been disclosed. He attempted to manage the issue with protective measures, but ultimately decided to proceed with surgery when his condition did not improve. Schottenheimer noted, "It's something that he's been dealing with.
It's just felt like he couldn't do at a high level. It's a long season."
In Smith's absence, T.J. Bass will step in as the starting left guard. Bass, a 27-year-old undrafted free agent, has participated in 48 games and made 10 starts, including five in the previous season. The Cowboys had retained him with a second-round restricted free agent tender, indicating their confidence in his abilities.
Tyler Smith, who was the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has established himself as a key player for the Cowboys, starting 63 regular-season games and earning Pro Bowl honors for three consecutive years, along with a second-team All-Pro selection in 2023.
