Cowboys put Tyler Smith's return at four to six weeks

T.J. Bass will take over at left guard

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 81 min read

My report on #cowboys LG Tyler Smith. His timeline to return, how he's replaced, the impact on Dallas early and what the Via @JamesPalmerTV on X

What happened: Tyler Smith is scheduled for thumb surgery Tuesday and is expected to go on injured reserve. Dallas tested whether he could keep playing before deciding an operation was necessary.

Why it matters: An injured-reserve placement rules Smith out for the first four games of the 2026 season. The three-time Pro Bowl guard's absence creates an immediate depth test for the Cowboys' offensive line.

By the numbers: Bass has made 10 career starts, including five last season.

What to watch: Dallas must determine whether Smith is ready when he first becomes eligible to return.

Sources

@JamesPalmerTV 2026-09-08T23:23:33.421449+00:00

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