Tyler Smith, the Cowboys’ starting left guard, is officially out for multiple weeks after thumb surgery this week, landing him on injured reserve Wednesday. That’s a tough blow for their offensive line right out of the gate, but it gets worse.
O-Line Woes Piling Up Fast
It seems like Dallas is already facing some serious challenges upfront. Just when you’re absorbing the news about Smith, you find out backup right guard Ajani Cornelius is dealing with a knee injury. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice, which means he’s not exactly 100%. Losing a starter is bad enough, but when your backup at another guard spot is also banged up? That’s a red flag waving in the wind. The early season is brutal, and injuries like these can derail things fast. You need depth, especially in the trenches, and the Cowboys are looking thin already.
Scramble for Depth
With Smith sidelined, T.J. Bass is stepping in at left guard. He’s got his work cut out for him. Here’s the kicker: before they made some quick moves, Bass and starting right guard Tyler Booker were the only healthy guards left on their 53-player roster. Think about that for a second. That’s *it*. That kind of depth issue forces action, and the Cowboys wasted no time. They signed Nick Leverett right off the practice squad to bolster the roster. Then, on the same Wednesday, they also brought in veteran guard Laken Tomlinson, adding him to the practice squad. It’s a clear signal they’re scrambling to patch things up. You don’t make those kinds of moves unless you’re genuinely concerned about who’s protecting your quarterback.
Other Injury Updates
It’s not all doom and gloom for every position, thankfully. Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard is nursing a groin injury, but he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. So, that’s one less thing to worry about for now. And third-string quarterback Joe Milton, who is on the practice squad, missed practice, but it was an excused absence. While not ideal, it’s certainly less critical than a starting or key backup offensive lineman being out or limited.
The Cowboys offensive line is clearly facing an immediate test. With Smith on IR and Cornelius limited, the new lineup and the practice squad additions are going to have to prove themselves right away. It’s an early season challenge, and how they navigate these guard injuries could set the tone for the next few weeks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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