Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith out for the season, right tackle is the focus
The Dallas Cowboys have lost left tackle Tyron Smith for the season due to a neck injury
The Dallas Cowboys currently have a record of 1-3, hoping to have themselves a get-right game against the winless New York Giants this Sunday. Yet, the Cowboys will attempt to get that rare victory severely compromised along their offensive line.
On Friday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced that starting left tackle Tyron Smith has been lost for the season. Smith will have season-ending surgery on his neck next week to correct the issues that have been causing him to experience stingers.
Smith was originally the Cowboys’ first-round selection out of USC back in 2011. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Despite this being his 10th season in the NFL, Smith is still only 29-years old. Yet, the injuries have begun to pile up after a decade in the professional trenches. And some have started to wonder how much longer the veteran offensive tackle will elect to play. Smith’s current contract in Dallas runs through 2024.
With Tyron Smith out, how does his absence impact the Dallas Cowboys offensive line?
With both starting offensive tackles in Smith and La’el Collins out for the season due to injuries, the Cowboys have turned to unproven players to start in their place. Brandon Knight has been the starter at left tackle when Smith has been absent. And undrafted rookie free agent Terence Steele has started all four games at right tackle in replacement of Collins.
But this past Sunday, Knight ended up replacing Steele at right tackle after the rookie struggled against the Cleveland Browns defensive line. But with Smith now out, Knight will most likely return to start at left tackle.
The biggest question mark following the news about Smith is who gets the start at right tackle against the New York Giants on Sunday … and beyond. Steele has received the nod so far, but there are other candidates like Jordan Mills and Greg Senat to consider.
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The Dallas Cowboys have already shown they are willing to move All-Pro right guard Zack Martin to tackle if needed. Starting left guard Connor Williams has experience playing the tackle position in college and could be a candidate to make the move as well.
Tyron Smith’s absence raises many questions for this team’s once -dominate offensive line. And the Cowboys need to find some answers quickly before their season is lost for good.