What happened: Tyler Smith is scheduled for thumb surgery and will move to injured reserve. The New York Giants previously traded away the defensive tackle viewed as their toughest interior matchup.
Why it matters: That departure gives the Dallas Cowboys one fewer elite interior blocker assignment while a reserve starts at left guard. The division rivals open their seasons in prime time Sept. 13.
By the numbers: Smith's projected four-to-six-week absence
What to watch: Dallas' Week 1 line configuration will show how it plans to protect the replacement left guard against New York's remaining front.