Cowboys Lose All-Pro Guard Tyler Smith Ahead of Opener

Tyler Smith, the Dallas Cowboys' All-Pro left guard, will undergo thumb surgery and is expected to land on injured reserve, head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Monday. The procedure will keep Smith out for at least the first four games of the season, a significant setback days before Dallas opens against the New York Giants.

"Tyler Smith is going to have surgery on his thumb tomorrow morning," Schottenheimer said. "It's something that he's just been dealing with." The move to injured reserve will also free up a spot on Dallas' 53-man roster. T.J. Bass, an undrafted free agent who made 10 career starts over four seasons including five last year, is set to step in as the starting left guard. The Cowboys retained Bass this offseason with a second-round restricted free agent tender. ante post odds

Smith's absence removes one of the league's steadiest offensive linemen from Dallas' front five. A first-round pick in 2022, the three-time Pro Bowler has allowed just 12 sacks across 63 career starts, according to Pro Football Focus, including only three sacks and 26 pressures last season.

Dallas opens its regular season Sunday night against the Giants, then faces a demanding six-game stretch that includes the Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers - a run the Cowboys will now navigate without one of their most reliable blockers.