The Dallas Cowboys have made significant moves to strengthen their offensive line following the injury to Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith. On Wednesday, the team placed Smith on the injured reserve list due to a thumb injury that requires surgery, which is expected to keep him sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks.
In response, the Cowboys promoted Nick Leverett from their practice squad to the active roster. While Leverett will serve as a backup interior lineman, T.J. Bass is anticipated to step in as the starting left guard, bringing with him 10 career starts and familiarity with the team's offensive system.
Leverett began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. He made his debut in 2021 and played with the Buccaneers until the end of the 2023 season, starting 10 games over that period. In 2024, he had stints with both the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals, where he worked with Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams.
After signing a future/reserves contract with Dallas in January 2026, Leverett was released during the final roster cuts but was later added to the practice squad. His promotion to the active roster comes as the Cowboys look to fill the gap left by Smith's injury.
In a corresponding move, the Cowboys also signed veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad. Tomlinson, a former first-round pick in 2015, has extensive experience, having started 162 games throughout his career, including seven games last season with the Houston Texans. He was previously with the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, where he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.
