Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer just dropped a bomb on Monday, September 7, announcing that star offensive lineman Tyler Smith is sidelined for four to six weeks. Yeah, you read that right. Thumb surgery is sending the 2023 second-team All-Pro to the bench, just days before their season kicks off. This isn’t some minor tweak, folks; this is a massive hit to their offensive line right when they need it most.
An All-Pro Down, Weeks To Go
Smith is getting surgery on his left thumb Tuesday, and the plan is to stash him on Injured Reserve (IR) with a designation to return. What does that mean for Dallas? It means their 2023 second-team All-Pro will miss a minimum of four games while on IR. Coach Schottenheimer, trying to spin it positively, told reporters Monday, “We know he’s a quick healer, and we want to get it fixed and he’ll be back before too long.” That’s easy to say, but losing a player of Smith’s caliber, especially his All-Pro status, just before the first whistle blows, is an early blow no team wants. You can’t just plug anyone in there and expect the same results, can you?
A Gauntlet Without Their Main Man
So who’s stepping into those huge shoes at left guard? T.J. Bass. He played in 16 games for Dallas last year, making five starts in 2025. That’s some experience, sure, but replacing an All-Pro on the fly is a different beast entirely. Bass is going to be tested immediately, because Dallas is staring down a brutal early-season schedule that’s packed with tough defensive teams. We’re talking about serious challenges right out of the gate.
Just look at what’s waiting for them: In Week 3, they get the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Then it’s on to the Houston Texans in Week 4, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. These aren’t just any teams; they’re known for bringing the pressure and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Losing Smith for that stretch means Bass and the rest of the line have to gel *fast* or things could get ugly. To make matters even worse, by Week 6, when they play the Green Bay Packers, there’s a strong possibility that former Cowboy Micah Parsons might even be back from injury, ready to unleash havoc. It’s like the universe decided to pile on for Dallas.
This whole messy situation kicks off for Dallas on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 1, September 13, against the upstart New York Giants. What a way to open the season, huh? With Smith potentially out for four to six weeks, that brutal early schedule looks even more daunting. They’ve gotta find a way to protect their QB and keep the chains moving against those tough defenses, or their season could be off to a rough start, fast. We’ll definitely be watching to see how they handle this curveball before they eventually roll into the Emerald City to face our very own Seattle Seahawks in Week 13 on December 7. Good luck, Dallas, you’re gonna need it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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