The Dallas Cowboys just quietly added a former Pro Bowler with 162 starts under his belt, and he’s looking for redemption
The Dallas Cowboys continue to navigate the Tyler Smith injury, this time adding much-needed depth with a very experienced veteran.
Tyler Smith’s trip to Injured Reserve has sent a ripple effect throughout the Dallas Cowbosy roster, all the way to the practice squad.
T.J. Bass will start for the Cowboys at left guard. Interior offensive lineman Nick Leverett was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. And now, the Cowboys are signing Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad.
It’s a quiet signing because, well, it’s a practice squad addition. But it’s not quite your typical practice squad signing, is it? Tomlinson is a former Pro Bowler (2021) and he comes with 162 starts under his belt.
Last year was the first time in his 11-year career that he played fewer than 15 games. In other words, Tomlinson can be a high-end backup. That being said, there’s a reason why Tomlinson was available this close to the regular season and it’s that he needs to bounce back from a rough year.
Tomlinson is looking to bounce back with Cowboys
Tomlinson is entering the 2026 season at 34 years old. He began the 2025 season as the Houston Texans starting left guard but failed to hold on to the job. In December, the Texans waived Tomlinson despite his seven starts on the team.
He was a healthy scratch for two games before being released.
If things go well for the Cowboys offensive line, Tomlinson won’t see the playing field as that will mean the starters and top backups stayed healthy. But he’s an intriguing veteran addition to the practice squad with plenty of experience.
By signing Tomlinson, the Cowboys’ practice squad is back at 17 players, which is the NFL’s limit for teams who include an international player.
Tomlinson is a former first-round pick who’s played with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans.
