The Dallas Cowboys will be without OT Tyron Smith for a lengthy amount of time. That much we know.

#Cowboys standout LT Tyron Smith actually suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee, meaning the hamstring tendon that sits at the back of the knee pulled off the bone and he needs surgery, sources say. If he’s back at all, it’ll be December. A tough loss.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2022

A harsh reality is Smith missing time has been a common theme since 2016. Missing 32 games since then, enough for two full 16-game seasons.

It's also something that we've seen coming. It's just unfortunate it's occurring right before the start of the regular season.

The Dallas Cowboys are looking at in-house options to fill the spot. Whether it's rookie Tyler Smith kicking outside to tackle, as well potentially Josh Ball or Matt Waletzko taking the job. Waletzko's health notwithstanding.

Likely, this is how it will go down:

• The Cowboys will play their final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks to evaluate their in-house options.
• After the initial, final cuts for the 53-man roster, they will explore the wavier wire. Looking for potential upgrades.
• If they find none, they are much more likely to seek a trade partner than explore free agency.

Assuming trade is the most logical route, who should the Cowboys target? Who are realistic options? What will be the cost.

We outsourced to experts who cover a number of teams with potentially available offensive linemen.

These are the players and what the experts had to say.

Walker Little

• Jordan de Lugo covers the Jacksonville Jaguars for Generation Jag. He believes a second-year pro with a high upside might be a great move for everyone.

A 2021 second round pick by the Jaguars, is entrenched in a battle for the starting right tackle job with Jawaan Taylor, another former second round pick. While Little was drafted by the current general manager, it’s possible that the Jaguars would move him for the right price, especially considering Jawaan Taylor is still listed as the starter… In the final two games of the 2021 season, when Little filled in for the injured Cam Robinson at left tackle, he thrived, creating push in the run game and surrendering only one pressure against the Patriots and Colts on 70 pass pro snaps.

The fit makes sense for the Cowboys…Even then it just seems like an odd move for the Jaguars considering the recent investment. Might be a second plus another asset or two. 

Teven Jenkins

• Lorin Cox is the host of LockedOnBears, part of the LockedOnPodcast Network, covering the Chicago Bears. He thinks a name that's been floating around the trade market might not be available, but could change for the right price.

Teven Jenkins would be a wildcard. He has as much talent as any offensive line prospect, but multiple injures limited him to about two games worth of real action at left tackle during his rookie season. And he missed the early portion of this year’s training camp due to an undisclosed issue. The Bears moved him back to right tackle and now he’s on track to start at right guard in Week 1. So he might not be as available as he once was.

An early Day 3 draft pick seemed like his market value when they were shopping him. For the Cowboys, Jenkins would need time to adjust back to left tackle and might be a little shaky at first while he gets up to speed. But he still has the potential to be a 10-year starter in the NFL.

Alex Leatherwood

• Marcus Johnson covers the Las Vegas Raiders for Silver and Black Pride, part of SB Nation and is the host of Tape Don't Lie.He believes a former first-round pick makes sense, but not in the way you might be thinking.

His hands are not improving and it makes him open to cross chops and he can’t use his athleticism. his feet have improved and but he’s just too slow with his hands leaving his chest open as well. He’s better at guard because he’s still a damn good run blocker. A mauler but has the athleticism for outside zone schemes as a right guard… fourth or fifth rounder, in my opinion…

Isaiah Wynn

• Brent Schwartzcovers the New England Patriots for USA Today's Patriots Wire and acknowledges the interest in their first-round offensive lineman on the trade block.

Competent and consistent NFL tackle play is hard to come by in this league. Wynn would at least provide the Dallas Cowboys with experience at the position, and he's a first-round talent at that…. Wynn has always been viewed as a bit undersized (6-foot-2, 310 lbs) as a NFL tackle. It's crazy to think his size would be deemed undersized for anything, but compared to Tyron Smith (6-5, 320), you can see the difference… somewhere around a 4th-rounder would make sense. Would be a bit less I think considering Wynn's $10.5 fifth-year option number is pretty hefty.

James Hurst

• Nicole Nelson covers the New Orleans Saints for WhoDatDish, part of the Fansided network, and thinks their swing tackle could be dealt for a player, rather than a pick.

The loss of Terron Armstead hurt for the Saints. But James Hurst came to the Saints in 2020 from Baltimore and played behind Armstead so he definitely learned a few things.

Last year he held down a lot of the offensive-line load and only allowed 3 sacks and had just 4 penalties on the season. He’s a solid replacement that with a little work could potentially be a pro-bowl level left tackle. He’s also a great all-around veteran to have to help train up guys like Trevor Penning… We also have a small hole in our secondary with both rookies having injuries. So I would say either RB, TE or Safety for compensation.

Cam Erving

• Damian Parson is a scout for The Draft Network and one of the hosts of The Talent Factor was present at Carolina Panthers training camp. He believes the former Dallas Cowboys OT might not be the best option.

Erving was inconsistent the entire time I was there. He struggled with hand placement and punch timing. He was beaten around the edge quite a few times, allowing quick outside pressure. I don't see him as a viable replacement for Smith… Probably a late-round pick. 

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports