COWBOYS LEFT GUARD TYLER SMITH TO MISS 4-6 WEEKS AFTER THUMB SURGERY

Tyler Smith, left guard for the Dallas Cowboys, will undergo thumb surgery and miss an estimated 4-6 weeks, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Smith will be placed on injured reserve, allowing the Cowboys to add a replacement to their active roster. TJ Bass will fill the left guard position until Smith returns to action. The injury stems from a ligament issue in Smith's thumb that he has managed for some time.

The Cowboys begin their regular season against the Giants on Sunday night, followed by matchups against the Commanders, Ravens, Texans, Buccaneers and Packers across the first six weeks of the campaign. Smith's absence will affect the team's offensive line depth during a critical early stretch of fixtures. His placement on injured reserve frees up roster space to address the gap created by his unavailability.

The timeline for Smith's recovery places his potential return in the latter half of the first six weeks, depending on surgical outcomes and rehabilitation progress. The Cowboys will rely on Bass to maintain continuity at the position during the initial phase of the season. Smith's status will be monitored throughout his recovery period.