Right now, the Dallas Cowboys are hoping to get Tyron Smith back on the playing field late in the season. A recent report by Ian Rapoport from NFL Network indicated the All-Pro offensive tackle could be back in December "if at all."

Jerry Jones was actually on ESPN's First Take to talk Cowboys football when he shared a hopeful message regarding Smith. "We'll have him in that (playoff) game," said the owner of the $8 billion franchise.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on ESPN's First Take about LT Tyron Smith: "It's a setback. …We'll have him at the right time. We'll have him in that San Francisco [playoff] game, or the equivalent of it that we had last year." Mentioned Tyler Smith by name as possible replacement.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 25, 2022

But even the thing is even that remains a question mark. Rapoport compared the injury to that of the New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, claiming "a return by December is possible if all goes perfectly well."

To that, former NFL doctor and current injury analyst David J. Chao responded: "Both injuries involve avulsion fractures but in very different places on the knee. Doubt either one returns this season."

On a similar note, All-Pro offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz joined Good Morning Football to talk about the disappointing news about one of the best players on the Cowboys roster. His take on Smith's short-term future is grim but it fits what Rapoport and Chao point toward:

"At this point, this late in the year and with Tyron's (injury) history, I think you can't really bank on him being healthy even in December."

Although a painful comment for Cowboys fans, it's easy to understand what Schwartz means. Keep in mind, that Tyron's offseason had already featured a re-injury of his left ankle which has had chronic issues for a while now.

For Jerry Jones to call it a "setback" is outrageous.

Does he think Cowboys fans – one of the most passionate (and frankly, obsessed) fanbases in the game – do not know football? This is severely more than just a setback, especially for a team that didn't prepare well enough at swing tackle, either.

During that same First Take interview, Jones had the audacity to claim the "offensive talent has got to step up."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on ⁦@FirstTake⁩ says the answer to their offensive line issues is that “the offensive talent has got to step up.” pic.twitter.com/W5p2Z5QK6A

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 25, 2022

At the risk of sounding overdramatic, that's simply insulting to Cowboys players and coaches. How is that what you tell Dak Prescott when it's his blindside that's set to be protected by Josh Ball right now?

Teams are built by front offices.

The Cowboys got rid of La'el Collins – a move based solely on money – this off-season. They also moved on from starter Connor Williams, even if his level of play was far from Collins'. You created two needs at OL, failed to bring in a swing tackle, and now that Smith is down, you're telling us it's up to the offensive talent?

Not to mention, the Cowboys have had a similar tone regarding the wide receiver group that has no experience beyond CeeDee Lamb to start the season. "We're counting on Dak to elevate the offense." If it needs elevating in the first place, why are you not bringing help in?

The same message is being sent about the offensive line right now.

This puts the Cowboys right back into what appears to be their comfort zone: seeking a reactive response to a major problem instead of a proactive one.

If the front office does get somebody from the outside to fix things, it will be a step in the right direction. But the "we like our guys" philosophy in Dallas cannot be the solution.

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