Three-time Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith is officially back with the Dallas Cowboys, just in the nick of time for their “Thursday Night Football” showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith had been practicing as a limited participant earlier in the week, Monday and Tuesday, before going full steam ahead in Wednesday’s walkthrough, and now he’s active tonight. Talk about a boost!
The Comeback Trail: From Surgery to “Green Light”
Smith’s return is massive, especially considering he hadn’t even suited up this season. The guy went through thumb surgery days before the season opener and spent time on injured reserve. Can you imagine the frustration? Smith himself called it “extremely difficult,” one of the hardest things he’d ever faced. He couldn’t grab, couldn’t punch, couldn’t “manhandle somebody every play,” which is literally an offensive lineman’s job. When you hear him talk about not being able to do those basic things, you know it was brutal.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott put it simply, saying getting a guy like Smith back, an “enforcer,” one of the best guards in the league, “definitely helps.” The team even gave Smith the ultimate call on his return, letting him decide if he wanted another week. But he gave them the “green light,” proving he’s ready to roll. Coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed it, too, saying if “Tyler feels good that he can go play,” there’s no problem. It’s all about Smith’s comfort level, and he’s clearly comfortable throwing down tonight.
Unlocking the Offense: Why Smith’s Return Changes Everything
So, what does this actually mean for a Cowboys offense that’s already putting up insane numbers? They’re averaging a league-best 3.39 points per drive, which is actually the fourth-most by any team through their first four games of a season in the 21st century! That’s absurd efficiency. But here’s the kicker: their run game has been, well, not so efficient. It ranks as the eighth-worst in the NFL, averaging just 89.5 rushing yards per game.
Without Smith, teams knew Dallas wasn’t exactly confident running to the left side with undrafted veteran T.J. Bass at left guard. The Cowboys have been running to the right side of the line at the ninth-highest rate in the NFL (35.9%) and to the left side at the fourth-lowest rate (26.9%) this season. They’re basically league average running up the middle. But with Smith back, that entire dynamic shifts. His presence “unlocks the ability to run the football to any and all locations along the line of scrimmage.” This isn’t just about a single player; it’s about transforming their entire ground attack.
Tonight against the Buccaneers, the Cowboys have a chance to show the league what their offense looks like when it’s fully operational. Look for Smith to be back to his “manhandling” ways and for Dallas to finally get that run game clicking on all cylinders. This could get wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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