Cowboys’ three-time Pro-Bowler Tyler Smith to have thumb surgery; expected out 4–6 weeks
The Dallas Cowboys will be without All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith for roughly a month to month-and-a-half after he undergoes thumb surgery. Dallas plans to turn to T.J. Bass and (per reports) place Smith on IR,
By SLAM Intel Desk · 4 min read · Updated Sep 7, 2026, 6:09 PM EDT
Lede: Cowboys lose interior anchor for the opening month
The Cowboys will be without three-time Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith for roughly four to six weeks after he undergoes thumb surgery, multiple outlets reported Monday, including an official announcement on NFL.com. Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer said the decision came because Smith could not perform at the level he expects of himself, and the club plans to rely on reserve T.J. Bass while Smith recovers.
What the team said and what the reports add
The NFL's official site reported the timeline as 4–6 weeks and relayed Schottenheimer’s explanation that Smith chose surgery to get the issue fixed early in the season. Independent outlets (CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports) add that the Cowboys intend to place Smith on injured reserve with a designation to return — a move that would open a roster spot and set the minimum absence.
Smith has been one of Dallas’ most reliable interior blockers since being drafted in 2022 and has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the past three seasons. The club’s public messaging stresses confidence in the depth chart, but the front line will be tested immediately.
Why this matters for Week 1 and the early season
Replacing a three-time Pro Bowler is never seamless. T.J. Bass is the most obvious short-term option, but whether Bass holds left‑guard responsibilities or Dallas shuffles other linemen will shape the Cowboys’ running game and pass protection in the first weeks. The timing — surgery now rather than attempting to play through the issue — signals Dallas prefers to prioritize Smith’s longer-term effectiveness over squeezing him into the opener.
Beyond line play on Sundays, the move matters for roster construction: an IR placement lets Dallas add depth immediately without cutting corners on Evans or other positional needs, but it also forces the club to evaluate whether short-term performance creates pressure for further moves.
Next steps to watch
Watch for the Cowboys to announce an official roster move (transaction report) and a Week 1 starting lineup later this week. Pay attention to any alignment changes along the interior and early game plans that could indicate how comfortable the staff is with Bass as the day‑to‑day replacement. Finally, monitor team medical updates for more precise recovery timing.
SLAM Explains
The complicated part, made simple.
What 'injured reserve' and 'designated to return' mean for a 4–6 week injury
When a team places a player on injured reserve (IR) with a designation to return, he must miss at least a minimum number of games (the NFL’s IR rules set that minimum each season). Placement frees a roster spot so the team can sign a replacement while allowing the injured player to rejoin the active roster later in the year without being cut.
Why it matters here
If Dallas formally puts Smith on IR, they can promote or sign a replacement now and avoid roster churn. But IR also signals the team anticipates at least a multi‑week absence and starts the clock on his return window.
Sources and attribution
- NFLPublished Sep 7, 2026, 3:57 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to NFL.
- Yahoo SportsPublished Sep 7, 2026, 4:57 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to Yahoo Sports.
- CBS SportsPublished Sep 7, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to CBS Sports.
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