The Cowboys offensive line has been a massive concern heading into the season and things have now good from worrisome to panic inducing. After eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle went down with an injury at the second practice back in Dallas, there was initial optimism he may have avoided a serious injury.
That hope is now gone, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer reporting Smith suffered a severe injury to his left hamstring. Details aren’t confirmed by the club yet but the injury will sideline him for an extended period into the season.
Tyron Smith suffered a severe injury to his left hamstring in Wednesday’s practice that could cost him multiple months of the 2022 season, sources tell me and @AdamSchefter. More reviews to fully determine the severity are planned for Thursday.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 25, 2022
Smith’s injury history is well-documented, from an ankle injury in Broncos joint practice just last week to issues in 2021 with his ankle that cost him five games. Smith hasn’t played in 16 games since the 2015 season and while there’s no doubt he’s one of the best offensive linemen in the game, it doesn’t matter if he can’t stay on the field.
Countless injuries to his neck, back and more have cost him 31 games during his still impressive career and his $17.5 million 2022 cap hit speaks to his value nonetheless. That said, it’s a brutal injury for Smith and Dallas who now have to scramble to find a replacement.
With Terence Steele locking down the right tackle after the Cowboys having released La’el Collins, there’s no one with NFL experience to clean up the mess. Collins’ services would be instrumental in this moment but now Dallas has to either find a new swing tackle or rely on the services of young players with little experience if they decide to bite the bullet. Josh Ball has started the two preseason games this year while rookie Matt Waletzko is returning from a shoulder injury this week to see if he can play this season without surgery.
For now, it’s another wrench in the Cowboys machine with the opener against Tampa Bay less than three weeks away.
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