Cowboys are staring at difficult decision ahead of 'easy' Week 10 vs Giants
The Dallas Cowboys are facing a difficult decision ahead of their Week 10 showdown against the New York Giants. Ahead of a game in which they are 17-point favorites (is this college football or what!?), the injury report once again leaves questions about Tyron Smith's availability. For the second straight practice, the All-Pro left tackle […]
The Dallas Cowboys are facing a difficult decision ahead of their Week 10 showdown against the New York Giants.
Ahead of a game in which they are 17-point favorites (is this college football or what!?), the injury report once again leaves questions about Tyron Smith's availability. For the second straight practice, the All-Pro left tackle was listed as a non-participant.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy indicated that might be the plan for the rest of the week and even seemed to suggest that could be the plan moving forward the rest of the season. Although it's up for debate if that's what McCarthy meant as he only replied "That's definitely an option."
As for Week 10 specifically, the Cowboys have an interesting decision ahead of them. You never want to underestimate a team in this league but it's crystal clear why Dallas is favored by over two possessions against New York.
The Giants will start Tommy DeVito, the undrafted rookie out of Illinois and Syracuse before that. It'll be his first career start behind the 32nd offensive line in pass protection and 31st in run blocking, per Ben Baldwin's composite rankings.
It's tough to imagine that playing out well against the Cowboys' defensive front led by Micah Parsons, who is still having a fantastic season worthy of being named the Defensive Player of the Year. The Giants also lack the boundary playmakers to put up much of a test against Dan Quinn's defense.
It could get ugly on Sunday. Now granted, 'tis the NFL, is it not? The league where anybody can beat anyone, say it with me: Any given Sunday. However, the Cowboys should outclass the Giants. And the staff knows it.
This all begs the question: Do they want to play Tyron Smith on Sunday or instead rest him for the week in an "easy" game? Such a decision could also have a financial and relationship aspect to it, as Smith has an incentive-heavy contract. Obviously, Tyron will want to go if he can go.
By the way, he probably can go. Tyron played one of his best games in recent memory in Philadelphia during the Cowboys' Week 9 loss to the Eagles. He looks fine. But he's been in the league a long time, so a plan that gives him consistent rest could be the way to go.
As of right now, I'd bet Smith ends up playing but assuming the game is over with it early, I expect him to be pulled from the contest at some point.
Cowboys Week 10 Injury Report, Thursday
KaVontae Turpin has also missed two practices with a shoulder injury. Markquese Bell and Osa Odighizuwa have both been limited.
Cowboys: How much money Tyron Smith is losing per game missed
That explains No. 77’s frustration.
