Cowboys open Christmas gift a week early with latest news
The Dallas Cowboys have only allowed 16 sacks through 12 games, the fewest in the NFL. Now, the Cowboys' offensive line gets the ultimate addition to keep up this trend moving forward. All-Pro left tackle Tryon Smith, who just recently had his 21-day practice window opened after being on injured reserve since August with a […]
The Dallas Cowboys have only allowed 16 sacks through 12 games, the fewest in the NFL. Now, the Cowboys' offensive line gets the ultimate addition to keep up this trend moving forward.
All-Pro left tackle Tryon Smith, who just recently had his 21-day practice window opened after being on injured reserve since August with a torn hamstring, has been activated to the Cowboys' 53-man roster and will make his season debut this Sunday.
Smith is no stranger to overcoming injuries. Since the start of the 2016 season, Smith has missed at least three games every year due to a multitude of injuries. It's been more significant as of late with 14 games missed in 2020 and 13 this season.
Smith is still a force when healthy so having him back in the trenches for the push to the playoffs is critical for the Cowboys, but he'll likely do it at another position. The Cowboys plan to put rookie Tyler Smith at left tackle and Connor McGovern at left guard. With the hole at right tackle, Smith will be a part of a committee approach along with former All-Pro Jason Peters and Josh Ball.
Smith hasn't played right tackle since his rookie campaign in 2011. However, Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, believes Smith has the skill to transition back to it with ease.
"Absolutely he does. Yes, sir. It's like riding a bicycle," Jones said earlier this week. "Now, you do need reps. Don't get me wrong. The more reps you got, the more you should play. And that's a fact. But still, you have the experience he's got, the skill that he's got, the physical attributes he's got, as well as the experience that he had years ago of playing that position, all of that will kick in here."
The Cowboys have played with at least five different combinations on the offensive line in practice this week to get the right game plan going forward. Although he's back, a lighter workload is probably ideal for Smith for the time being.
If any player can make this kind of move over a decade later, it's Smith. For the Cowboys, no matter where he plays, having Smith back means dominance will follow, which is exactly what they need at this point in the season.
Feature image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
