Dallas Cowboys starting offensive tackle Tyron Smith will miss a few months after tearing his hamstring during Wednesday’s practice. Smith’s injury is a manifestation of Cowboys fans’ fears since it became clear the team was ready to move on from right tackle La’el Collins.
Smith hasn’t played a full season since 2015. In fact, he hasn’t played more than 13 games in a single season since then. And over the past two seasons, the 31-year-old has only played in 13 games total.
Still, Dallas decided to head into the season with Smith and Terence Steele as the team’s offensive tackles, with Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko as the two backup options. After Ball made Chris Rumph look like Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa combined into one body, confidence in the Cowboys’ tackle situation was at an all-time low behind Smith and Steele.
And now Smith is gone for an extended period of time.
Tyron Smith’s injury complicates Cowboys’ season
It’s amazing that the organization failed to have the forethought that thousands of fans across the nation had in regard to Smith’s health and the importance of competent backup options for when, not if, the offensive tackle missed games.
Dallas News reporter Michael Gehlken said in a tweet that the Cowboys had already been looking into offensive tackle options before the injury. Now, that search becomes urgent as Smith looks to have surgery. As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee, meaning the hamstring tendon that sits at the back of the knee pulled off the bone. If Smith is to return at all this season, it won’t be until December.
Internal options at left tackle after Tyron Smith’s injury
Ball and Waletzko were already discussed as two of the options. However, neither are ready to take starting snaps at an NFL level. Cowboys first-round pick Tyler Smith played left tackle at Tulsa, but he displayed critical issues on tape that suggested a move to guard would be his home at the NFL level.
Tyler Smith may have to slide outside to left tackle. Instead of leaving Collins on the roster at a reasonable price, Dallas dropped him and decided not to find a replacement. Now, they’ve forced their own hand and will most likely come out paying nearly what Collins was making for someone through trade or off the streets. And they won’t get nearly the caliber of player that Collins is.
External options following Smith’s injury
There are a few names that would make sense for the Cowboys. The New England Patriots have dangled offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn in trade talks. The fifth-year tackle is due $10.4 million in 2022, which is more than what Dallas would have paid Collins this season. They’d also have to trade draft picks and/or a player to get the deal done. However, Wynn has gone through his own injury issues throughout his career thus far.
Jason Peters and Eric Fisher are two names the Cowboys could contact to take over the LT role while Smith is sidelined. The 42-year-old Peters played well given his advanced age a season ago in Chicago. Meanwhile, Fisher struggled a bit more in Indianapolis, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Andre Dillard is another interesting name, but the young Washington State product has fizzled out at the NFL level and is coming from Dallas’ rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s unlikely Dallas would go that route.
Dallas could also reunite with Cameron Erving, who started five games for the Cowboys in 2020. The 30-year-old is currently with the Panthers.