Cowboys Nation was ripped from Labor Day relaxation on Monday night when news broke that guard Tyler Smith would miss at least the first four games of 2026, and maybe more, with a thumb injury that requires surgery.
It's a huge blow for Dallas' starting lineup, but could also have serious repercussions if something happens to Tyler Guyton at left tackle.
The Cowboys have some decent options to replace Tyler Smith
It's hard enough to digest losing Smith for the player he is and the position he regularly plays. He's been to three straight Pro Bowls going into 2026 and is generally considered one of the elite guards in all of football.
Many would argue that he's the best player on Dallas' offense, and perhaps second only to defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on the entire roster.
But at least T.J. Bass is ready to step in at LG. The Cowboys gave him a one-year, $5.77 million deal to return this year as a primary backup at guard.
Bass also became the backup center after a season-ending injury to free-agent pickup Matt Hennessy. His ascension will likely pull Nick Leverett, a preseason standout, up from the practice squad and onto the 53-man roster for at least the duration of Smith's absence.
The interior depth helps you breathe a little easier when it comes to Smith's absence at left guard, but only so much. Bass may be a starter-quality reserve, but he hardly has Smith's All-Pro credentials.
And while Dallas was counting on Smith's greatness to help elevate that side of the line, Bass may not be able to do much to assist if Guyton still has his struggles.
Tyler Smith may have been the Cowboys' backup left tackle, too
What's worse is if Guyton misses time with his own hypothetical injury, given the lack of depth at tackle. Dallas may have just traded for Broderick Jones from the Steelers, but he's coming in with a first-round bust label and is expected to compete on the right side with Terence Steele.
Even after the Jones trade, it still felt like the next man up at LT would be Tyler Smith. After all, he has experience there and T.J. Bass would easily be the next-best player out of the offensive line reserves. The goal is generally to keep your best five guys on the field, so that would have been the clearest way to do it.
So now, if Guyton goes down, you're looking at Bass at LG and probably Jones at LT. The idea of Jones protecting Dak Prescott's blind side right now is far scarier than Bass having to play a month or so at guard.
Big splashes make big ripples. This Tyler Smith news not only dumped cold water on the enthusiasm of fans ahead of the season opener, but the impact could be felt for weeks to come.
We're quickly going to see if T.J. Bass is as good as advertised, and hope that Tyler Guyton doesn't test our depth any further.
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