Cowboys injury report: Tyron Smith set to make season debut vs Jaguars
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys could use a rebound performance Sunday against Jacksonville after they narrowly beat the Texans in Week 14. What better way to signify exactly that than getting one of the faces of the franchise back from injury?
Roughly 24 hours before kickoff, the Cowboys activated Tyron Smith from injured reserve. The bookend is expected to make his season debut after he underwent surgery on Aug. 26 to repair an avulsion fracture to his knee suffered in practice.
Smith’s been back at practice for two weeks. With the activation window winding down, Dallas has cleared the eight-time Pro Bowler to play.
Smith’s return couldn’t come at a better time after Terence Steele suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the Week 14 win against Houston. It’s unclear how the Cowboys will realign their offensive line, but Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News understands Smith could start at RT as he gets back up to speed.
That’s the big injury news for Sunday’s bout in Jacksonville. Let’s fill you in on Dallas’ inactives for the game.
Cowboys' Tyron Smith is expected to play and possibly start at right tackle Sunday vs. Jaguars for the first time since his 2011 rookie season. The longtime left tackle looks "ambidextrous" in practice. https://t.co/sInO8VYFnH
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 16, 2022
Cowboys Week 15 injury report: Tyron Smith set to make season debut vs Jaguars
Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was the only player ruled out for the Cowboys heading into the weekend.
That means Micah Parsons, who missed Friday’s practice due to personal reasons, is good to go. As are Jayron Kearse (shoulder/back), who practiced in full on Friday, and DeMarcus Lawrence, who was limited all week before practicing in a full capacity on Friday. Lawrence has been bothered by a foot injury since the Packers loss, but it hasn’t forced him to miss any time.
Joining Ferguson on the sidelines are newly-signed wideout TY Hilton and recently-claimed cornerback Trayvon Mullen. Having joined the team mid-week, there likely wasn’t enough time for either player to get cleared for game action.
Additionally, WR Jalen Tolbert, quarterback Will Grier, and linebacker Jabril Cox join the list of Cowboys inactives.
Cowboys inactives: LB Jabril Cox, QB Will Grier, WR T.Y. Hilton, WR Jalen Tolbert, CB Trayvon Mullen, TE Jake Ferguson. Hilton’s debut will have to wait after one week of practice.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 18, 2022
It’s pretty damning Tolbert can’t get a sniff given the state of the receiver room. Cox, meanwhile, has been victimized by the emergence of rookie Damone Clark, and Grier won’t be active as long as Dallas continues carrying two QBs on the game day roster.
The big takeaway is Tyron Smith, obviously. Regardless of where he plays Sunday, it’s awesome knowing the future Hall of Famer is back for the stretch run. Just the boost the Cowboys needed after Steele’s devastating injury.
