The Dallas Cowboys have been adamant about the state of their offensive line. There is no plan or desire to bring in a veteran presence. Instead, they want to focus on the players in-house, with their young players supplying the depth.

On Wednesday night, that all might have changed.

The team was going through practice team drills. Smith pursued Leighton Vander Esch in a second-level run block to the left side. Upon contact with the LB, Smith fell to the ground, grabbing his left leg. His teammates rushed to his side.

Here’s video of Tyron Smith’s injury during today’s practice. He walked out of the practice facility about an hour ago under his own power and didn’t appear to have much of a limppic.twitter.com/ODyA3CDFla

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 25, 2022

Initially, the fear was an ACL injury, but it appeared the Cowboys dodged a bullet. Smith showed it intact and was lucky. For a minute.

Only two hours later did Dallas Cowboys reporter Todd Archer reveal the bad news. Smith will miss time with a severe torn hamstring injury.

Tyron Smith suffered a severe injury to his left hamstring in Wednesday’s practice that could cost him multiple months of the 2022 season, sources tell me and @AdamSchefter. More reviews to fully determine the severity are planned for Thursday.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 25, 2022

It has been long speculated the long-time Cowboys would miss time. Having missed games every season since 2015. However, no one expected it to come before the season started.

The Dallas Cowboys now have a few options.

1. Rely on rookie Matt Waletzko or second-year Josh Ball fill in at left tackle.

• Waletzko has been the better option at left tackle until his shoulder injury, but is looking to delay surgery. Ball has proven to be a more capable right tackle, often getting pushed back when on the left.

2. Start Terence Steele at left tackle.

• Just like Ball or Connor McGovern, Steele is far better served to play on the right than the left. Not displaying the same comfort, power, or mobility when on the left side, however, he has started a number of games at LT.

3. Put rookie Tyler Smith in position.

• It's been speculated that he would be the heir to the left tackle position when the Dallas Cowboys and Tyron eventually part ways. However, he has primarily practiced left guard. Would it hurt his development as a rookie to play him outside before he's ready?

4. Look outside for help

• There are not many viable options in the open market. Even less with Duane Brown signing with the NY Jets. Isaiah Wynn might still be an option, with the New England Patriots fielding calls.

No matter how it's solved, the Dallas Cowboys front office has only themselves to blame.

They are now backed against the wall with the season around the corner and already down their most important offensive lineman.

There's still time to remedy the situation, but what everyone has expected to happen, has happened ahead of schedule.

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports