Latest Cowboys news sets up coaching staff for highly difficult decision
The Dallas Cowboys might have a highly difficult decision cooking ahead of this week's matchup against the New England Patriots. On Thursday, Tyron Smith was absent from practice for a second consecutive day following the events that transpired in Week 3: Despite being named a captain for the game and suiting up as an active […]
The Dallas Cowboys might have a highly difficult decision cooking ahead of this week's matchup against the New England Patriots.
On Thursday, Tyron Smith was absent from practice for a second consecutive day following the events that transpired in Week 3: Despite being named a captain for the game and suiting up as an active player, the starting left tackle did not play a single snap versus the Arizona Cardinals.
Instead, the TV broadcast consistently pointed toward an unhappy Tyron Smith. With two missed practices already while both Tyler Biadasz and Zack Martin returned to practice on Thursday, he's trending to be unhappy again this weekend.
That in turn raises a choice for the Cowboys: Who takes his place on the starting lineup? Last week, it was veteran Chuma Edoga while Tyler Smith stayed inside. However, Edoga struggled as he gave up three pressures and one QB hit in the game.
Meanwhile, Tyler Smith did a pretty good job changing positions to left tackle. Could the coaching staff consider kicking him outside to better protect Dak Prescott's blind side or will they roll with the same left-side combo as they did last week if Tyron can't go?
"I don't want to answer those questions," head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters when asked if Tyler would work more than one position.
On the one hand, playing Tyler outside would give you the superior player at tackle. The downside, however, would be risking continuity up front. How actively do the Cowboys want to switch Tyler from one spot to another instead of letting him do his thing at guard and eventually just swapping out Tyron for Chuma?
Continuity for the long-term over the best shot at winning on Sunday? It's not as easy as it would appear.
Ideally, the Cowboys' offensive line will be in full health by kickoff. Realistically though, it appears Tyron Smith has a high likelihood of missing back-to-back regular season games. Hopefully, Biadasz and Martin continue to head in the right direction to match up against a legit Patriots' defense that could be a headache in more than one way.
Speaking of Martin, he appears to be doing a lot better but expect him to be listed as questionable when the final injury report comes through on Friday. A decision will likely come until Saturday when the final walkthrough is expected to be held.
Cowboys Injury Report
Both CeeDee Lamb and DeMarcus Lawrence returned to practice on Thursday after veteran rest on Wednesday. Breathe easy, Cowboys fans.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb faces a different challenge vs Patriots
Should be a good one.
