Cowboys in Danger of Missing 2-Time All-Pro Starter With New Injury

The Dallas Cowboys face the potential setback of Tyron Smith, their starting tackle, possibly missing upcoming games due to a newly incurred back injury. Smith was absent from Thursday’s practice on December 21, 2023, raising uncertainties about his availability for the Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. In addition, the team is contending with the return of Zack Martin, a seasoned lineman, who is working towards recovery from a thigh injury.

Tyron Smith's still got it 💪 pic.twitter.com/HcW6rv1U1J

— PFF (@PFF) December 20, 2023

According to information from The Dallas Morning News relayed by Calvin Watkins on December 21, both Tyron Smith (back) and Zack Martin (thigh) did not participate in practice. Watkins added that if Tyron Smith can engage in Saturday’s practice, his chances of playing on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins appear promising. There are also injury concerns with other players, including Rico Dowdle (ankle) and Malik Hooker (ankle), who had limited participation, while Tony Pollard (thumb) was a full participant.

As reported by DallasCowboys.com’s Nick Harris on December 21, the status of Tyron Smith heading into the Miami game is uncertain, with Harris describing the new back injury as an unexpected development. Harris explained that Smith’s back issue emerged from the previous game against the Bills and that his participation in practice is not anticipated until at least Saturday. The assessment of Smith’s condition on Saturday is expected to provide more clarity on whether he will be available for the game on Sunday.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on LT Tyron Smith’s back injury, which appeared on Wednesday’s injury report: “It’s something from the game. He’s working through it.” Smith is scheduled to do more today than he did Wednesday. “We still have a lot of time.” pic.twitter.com/572Le9UWbl

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 21, 2023

Cowboys News: Star Tackle Tyron Smith Has Missed Significant Time in 8 Straight Seasons

In recent years, Smith has faced an unfortunate pattern of dealing with various injuries, posing challenges for the two-time All-Pro. This season, he has already sat out three games due to a back injury, and there is a possibility of him being absent for additional matches. Last season, the prominent tackle participated in only four games after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason. Notably, Smith has experienced substantial periods of absence for eight consecutive seasons.

Cowboys Rumors: Will Dallas Move on From Tyron Smith in 2024?

This offseason, Dallas is at a crossroads regarding Smith’s future, contemplating whether to retain the veteran player. During the previous offseason, there were speculations about Smith being a potential cut candidate for the Cowboys.

However, instead of parting ways, Smith opted for a contract restructuring, introducing incentives linked to his game participation. Currently in the last season of an extensive 8-year, $97.6 million contract, Smith continues to demonstrate a high level of performance when in good health. It’s challenging to envision that the eight-time Pro Bowler would not attract interest in the free agency market.

The pivotal question revolves around whether the Cowboys will be one of the teams vying for Smith’s services. The prospect is intriguing if Smith is amenable once again to connecting his earnings with the number of games played. Some, including ESPN’s Matt Miller, advocate for the Cowboys to explore replacement options in 2024.

In a November 14 article titled “2024 NFL offseason: Early positional needs for AFC, NFC teams,” Miller suggests, “The Cowboys should consider signing or drafting a left tackle to succeed the future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith, allowing second-year player Tyler Smith to remain at guard, where he has excelled.” Miller also proposes potential targets in free agency, such as Jonah Williams, who might transition to the left side, and in the draft, highlighting left tackles Patrick Paul (Houston) and Kingsley Suamataia (BYU) as promising choices that align with the Cowboys’ needs. Given Jerry Jones’ historical commitment to investing in the offensive line, especially in light of its current significance, pursuing such options becomes even more crucial.