Cowboys Will Be Without Pro Bowl Guard Tyler Smith for Giants' Season Opener
Smith needs thumb surgery and will miss at least four games, leaving backup T.J. Bass to start at left guard against the Giants' front seven.
The Dallas Cowboys will be without starting left guard Tyler Smith for their season opener at the Giants on Sept. 13. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Smith needs surgery on a ligament in his left thumb and will start the season on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, has been bothered by the injury throughout training camp. "It's something that he's just been dealing with," Schottenheimer said. "It felt like he couldn't do the things he had to do at a high level." The team could not pinpoint when the injury occurred. Smith is scheduled for surgery this week performed by Dr. Steven Shin, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris.
T.J. Bass, who has 10 career starts as a Cowboys backup, will take over at left guard. Dallas re-signed Bass this offseason on a one-year, $5.8 million restricted free agent tender.
The injury adds to an offensive line already sorting out an open competition at right tackle between Terence Steele and Broderick Jones, acquired in an Aug. 29 trade with Pittsburgh.
Smith is designated to return and eligible to play again as soon as Week 5, a short-turnaround Thursday night game against Tampa Bay. A more realistic target is the Cowboys' Week 6 game at Green Bay on Oct. 18.