Tyler Smith is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after thumb surgery and will go on injured reserve, leaving the Dallas Cowboys to make an early change on the offensive line.
Brian Schottenheimer announced the move on Monday, saying Smith has been dealing with the thumb issue for a while and that it became clear he could not play at a high level with it. Because of injured-reserve rules, Smith will miss at least the first four games.
What the timeline means
After Monday's announcement, Smith's first chance to return would be Oct. 8 against the Bucs, when he becomes eligible to come off IR. The Cowboys have not said exactly how quickly he will be ready after that, but the stated recovery window puts his absence in the 4-6 week range.
That matters because Dallas opens the season with a difficult stretch against defensive fronts from the Giants, Commanders, Ravens and Texans. Losing an All-Pro guard in that span is a real test for an offensive line that needs stability from the start.
Who steps in
The clearest replacement path points to T.J. Bass, whom the Cowboys clearly value after giving him a second-round restricted free agent tender in the 2025 offseason. Schottenheimer's comments backed that up, noting the team coveted Bass for this kind of opportunity.
Smith's injury also continues an unusual run of missed time. He played every game as a rookie in 2022, then appeared in 14 games in 2023 and 16 games in 2024, but he has still missed at least one game in four straight years. For Dallas, the concern now is not just replacing Smith for a few weeks, but keeping the line intact through an early schedule that could shape the season.
