The Dallas Cowboys reported on August 25 that left tackle Tyron Smith suffered an injury during Wednesday’s practice that will keep him off the field for several months.
Smith suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee while blocking downfield that will require surgery to repair. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team is hopeful Smith will be available by the playoffs.
In the meantime, the team will need to make some decisions to replace the 12-year pro who has missed significant time over the last several seasons due to various minor injuries.
“Heartbroken for him,” quarterback Dak Prescott said during Friday’s inaugural Season Kickoff event. “Just very unfortunate. A guy that’s battled his whole career and battled little injuries here and there, and for something like that to happen, just unfortunate. It’s just what this game brings you — things that you can’t control.”
An avulsion fracture happens when a piece of bone separates at the point where a ligament or tendon attaches. The injury typically occurs during sudden changes in movement and is most often associated with the knee. Surgery is required to repair the damage when the area of bone is larger than two centimeters, indicating that Smith, who will undergo surgery Friday, suffered a severe injury.
The team has several options to fill the suddenly vacant spot at tackle, including several of the team’s most recently drafted players. Tyler Smith, selected in the 2022 NFL draft first round, is one of the most prominent options available, but that depends on his own readiness after suffering an ankle injury Tuesday.
Other options include Josh Ball, a 2021 fourth-round selection, and Matt Waletzko, selected in the fourth round in 2022. The Cowboys obtained the draft pick from Cleveland as part of the Amari Cooper trade. Both players have college experience at the left tackle position but have not played in an NFL game.
“I’m confident in what we have and the guys that are going to continue to work to get better each and every day,” Prescott said. “I believe in the front office. They’ll make the right decision, whatever that takes. But for me, it’s about being a better leader, being there to support those guys and doing the best I can to make sure the next man up takes advantage of that opportunity.”
Smith has a long history of injuries, including numerous injuries suffered in 2020 and 2021, according to DraftSharks.com. In Week 1 of the 2020 season, the tackle sustained a neck injury that caused him to miss nearly the entire season. In 2021, ankle injuries caused him to miss six games near the end of the season.
Despite the injuries, Smith was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 for the eighth time in his career, though it was the first time he was not a starter. Smith made the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons beginning in 2013.
Last season, the Cowboys moved Terence Steele from the right side to the left when Smith was injured. Steele has more experience than any other player on the roster, but moving him over also presents an issue on the right side.
At this time, the Cowboys have not decided how they plan to replace Smith once the regular season begins on September 11.
“We’ve got some good options here,” Jones said. “We’ve got a team around him. We’ve got a defense that’s probably as strong as we’ve had in a lot of years. So we’ve got a lot of ways not to make up for not having him, but to go on without him.”
It won’t matter if Smith is available for the playoffs. The cowboys won’t make it anyway. If they do they won’t get past the first round.