Tag: Tyron Smith

No-excuse Cowboys certainly aren’t helped by avalanche of injuries

To say the Dallas Cowboys are snake-bitten by injuries would be an understatement.

Disclaimer: this article is not here to excuse the performance of the Dallas Cowboys this season, especially not the game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. But, still, it’s important to talk about injuries in relation to the expectations both fans and teams had way back in September. Oh, that was just a month ago? Feels longer.

Over the last decade, the Cowboys have had their fair share of injuries but have largely been slightly above average in terms of health when compared to the rest of the league. In 2020, that is absolutely not the case. They’ve long passed the point where the boat has taken on so much water it’s time to abandon ship. And hope.

Here’s where the team stood league wide entering 2020, utilizing Football Outsiders adjusted games lost calculations:

Adjusted games lost gives one point for every game missed by a starter. It adds smaller amounts for time missed during the practice week even if a player ultimately suits up on gameday. It is not a perfect metric as some starters are different than others (see the 2015 Cowboys and the loss of Tony Romo) but it’s the best anyone has come up with yet.

Without calculating any of the partial points every team earns due to the nicks and nagging injuries that football inevitably brings, the Cowboys are racking up the points. Here’s a best guess at their baseline for adjusted games lost to date:

  • La’el Collins 16 games
  • Blake Jarwin 15 games
  • Tyron Smith 14 games
  • Dak Prescott 11 games
  • Trysten Hill 11 games
  • Leighton Vander Esch 4 games
  • Chidobe Awuzie 4 games
  • Anthony Brown 3 games
  • Joe Looney 2 games

That’s a total of 80 games and over half the season remains to add to the above names and possibly the last four players’ totals. It’s not clear if Football Outsiders would include defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who was the team’s presumptive starter. It also doesn’t even take into consideration some of the sort of starters that are missing time, like linebacker Sean Lee. It’s not yet even begun to calculate the more nuanced portions of this metric.

80 games lost would rank the team No. 20 in 2019. And again, that is the lowest number possible the Cowboys could have this year. That number can not get any lower. By the time things are all said and done this year, this team will likely be the most snake-bitten team in the NFL.

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Cowboys make handful of roster moves, activate Brown from IR

The Dallas Cowboys activated CB Anthony Brown, but added Tyron Smith and Joe Looney to the IR.

The Dallas Cowboys 2020 season has featured a whirlwind of never-ending roster moves, as the team has been crippled by injuries at multiple positions. Those transactions continued on Saturday, as the Cowboys added two new players, tackle Tyron Smith and center Joe Looney, to the injured reserve.

To fill those two roster spots, Dallas activated cornerback Anthony Brown from the IR, and promoted linebacker Francis Bernard to the 53-man roster. The team also elevated two players from the practice squad to the roster in center Marcus Henry and DB Stephen Parker.

Every week, each team can add two practice squad members to the active roster for the upcoming game, and the Cowboys utilized that once again.

Smith heads to the season-ending IR after suffering a setback while battling the neck/stinger issues that have ailed him for a few years now. Smith is set for surgery and hopefully will make a full recovery before the beginning of  next season. The Cowboys are now without both of their star tackles for the remainder of this season, as La’el Collins underwent season-ending hip surgery last week.

In the games this year that both Smith and Collins missed, the Cowboys started second-year tackle Brandon Knight on the left side, and undrafted rookie Terrence Steele on the right side.

Dallas signed tackle Greg Senat from the Browns practice squad to the 53-man roster earlier this week to add some depth and potential competition at the position. Right guard, Zack Martin, is the lone remaining starter from the Cowboys dominant offensive lines of recent memory. Martin slid out to right tackle in the Cowboys Week 3 loss to Seattle after Steele left with an illness, but don’t be surprised to see Martin there again if Dallas’ other options aren’t cutting it.

Looney should return this year, as he lands on the short-term IR with a grade 2 MCL sprain. Fourth-round rookie Tyler Biadasz, has done a quality job in his limited action this year, and could very well remain the starting center after Looney returns. Looney’s return will still be crucial as the veteran could see time at either guard spot, especially if Martin is forced to move out wide as mentioned above.

 

On the defensive side of the field, Brown’s return from the IR could be substantial for a Dallas defense that has looked abysmal through four games. Brown re-joins a cornerback group including Trevon Diggs, Jourdan Lewis, and Daryl Worley, as Chidobe Awuzie remains on the IR.

Bernard was brought up to the active roster from the practice squad for last week’s contest, and he played 13 snaps on special teams. Bernard has a chance to stick on the roster, but the quickly-approaching return of Leighton Vander Esch could move Bernard back down to the practice squad yet again.

The Cowboys’ defense, which is dead-last in points given up per game, will attempt to bounce back as Brown returns and the Giants lowly offense comes to town in Week 5.

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Cowboys’ Joe Looney, Tyron Smith out vs. Giants

Dallas Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (neck) and C Joe Looney (knee) are out in Week 5 against the New York Giants.

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The Dallas Cowboys confirmed the unfortunate news on Friday, announcing that left tackle Tyron Smith is not only out against the New York Giants in Week 5, but that he will miss the remainder of the season with a neck injury.

Smith, who did not practice at all this week, was listed on the team’s final injury report, but will soon head to injured reserve.

In addition to Smith, starting center Joe Looney is also out against the Giants after missing practice this week with a knee injury.

In Smith’s place, Brandon Knight is expected to draw the start, while Tyler Biadasz will likely step in and start at center.

The offensive line has long been one of Dallas’ greatest assets, so to lose two starters ahead of a game against the Giants will certainly hurt.

On the plus side for Dallas, defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence (knee), Tyrone Crawford (ankle) and Dorance Armstrong (knee), and cornerback Trevon Diggs (shoulder/knee) did not receive designations and are expected to play.

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Tyron Smith to miss rest of ’20 season, Cowboys coach confirms

An already disappointing 2020 season has taken a devastating turn for the worse for the Dallas Cowboys.

An already disappointing 2020 season has taken a devastating turn for the worse for the Dallas Cowboys. Starting left tackle Tyron Smith will undergo surgery to deal with an ongoing neck issue, head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Friday morning. Smith will miss the remainder of the season.

“It’s become official, just speaking to everybody involved,” McCarthy told media on a conference call on Friday, “Tyron will continue the process of going through surgery. This is a correctable situation. He obviously will not be available the rest of the season. Clearly, the focus is on him personally. I think the surgery is scheduled for next week.”

Smith missed the second and third games of this season with stingers but returned last week to play all 82 offensive snaps in the team’s loss to Cleveland. But more missed practices this past week led to medical consultations, which have now convinced the seven-time Pro Bowler to shut it down for the year.

McCarthy said Smith’s stingers have been a recurring problem dating beyond just the 2020 season and will only continue if not treated through the scheduled procedure.

“My understanding is it’s something that he’s been dealing with for some time,” McCarthy said, “and I’ve also been told that it’s a correctable surgery. If he doesn’t have the surgery, he’ll just continue to deal with this in the manner of how this season has gone. This is something that needs to be done.”

Now the club will be forced to continue to shuffle linemen, as they have all season long, as they simultaneously deal with the absence of starting right tackle La’el Collins and center Joe Looney.

“Your offensive and defensive linemen are clearly vital to your success,” said the coach. “It’s something that we feel very strong about, our linemen and the depth of our linemen. The game starts at the line of scrimmage and the importance of playing to that mindset will never change here.”

Rookie center Tyler Biadasz has stepped into the starting lineup. Terence Steele and Brandon Knight have also played, with varying degrees of success thus far in 2020. New bodies have been added to the practice squad just this week, but McCarthy wouldn’t divulge details about exactly who will play where come Sunday.

“We’re always going to try to put our best players out there that are ready for the challenge. And it’s not as much about what’s their personnel grade or the perception of where they rank. There’s a lot that goes into this. You have eight offensive linemen that play; obviously, you want to have the five that play with the highest level of cohesiveness, connection, communication. That’s something you continue to work on.”

The war of attrition rages on. While 2020 seems to have taken a costlier toll on the league’s superstar players than in years past, losing players to injuries has always been a part of the game.

“Make no mistake about it, ” Jerry Jones explained on 105.3 The Fan on Friday. “You don’t play pro football unless you factor in injury. You know you’re going to have them; you just don’t know where and what area you’re going to have them in. That’s what makes this such a challenging game. That’s why it’s so great when you win: because you’ve gone through a lot of challenges.”

McCarthy also chalked the injuries up to business as usual but admitted that losing so many offensive linemen in such a short span has made it especially tough for the team to find its footing this season.

“It’s life in the NFL,” he offered. “It just comes at you different ways. The unfortunate part of this game is, players have injuries. When they all come in the same position this quickly… We’re always starting that season where you’re trying to get the young guys to close that gap with your experienced players. And just to have this type of volume of losing your top three tackles this quickly, it makes the challenge a little tougher.”

The team may be losing No. 77 on the field, but the two-time All-Pro still plans on making his presence felt around the facility, doing what he can to help coach up the younger players who will be tasked with taking his place protecting Dak Prescott, and blocking for Ezekiel Elliott as the Cowboys try to turn the season around.

“After speaking with Tyron, that was one of the first things that he made the point of with me,” McCarthy said. “He wants to be here and make sure he’s helping the tackles every single day. I think that speaks to him as a man and a leader.”

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Cowboys’ Tyron Smith unlikely to play vs. Giants

Dallas Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (neck) is likely out against the New York Giants in Week 5 and could miss the remainder of the season.

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Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith (neck) took 80 snaps against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, but has missed two days of practice this week after suffering a major setback.

Smith had a neck injury flare up following Dallas’ Week 1 loss against the Los Angeles Rams, which caused him to miss the following two games, but he returned in Week 4 raring to go.

What happened between Sunday and Thursday is unclear, but not only is Smith now expected to miss a Week 5 game against the New York Giants, but he could miss the remainder of the season.

“Right now, it’s a big, big question. All things are on the table,” Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said on Thursday. “We have to look at Tyron’s best interest for his career. He’s been battling this. He’s everything you want in a man. He’s everything you want in a left tackle.”

Even prior to his setback, Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams said it was obvious something was wrong with Smith — the team had spotted it on film.

“I think there’s something we all noticed on film that he’s been dealing with an injury and you can kind of see it on film. We were looking to get after that,” Williams told reporters on Thursday.

In Smith’s absence, Brandon Knight is likely to slide over and start on the left side, which substantially weakens the Cowboys’ offensive line.

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Cowboys’ Tyron Smith could be lost for the year

Tyson Smith has a neck injury and could be done for the season.

A brutal season for the Dallas Cowboys is on the verge of getting rougher.

At 1-3 heading into a Week 5 matchup with the New York Giants in Texas, the Cowboys are thinking about putting All-Pro OT Tyron Smith on IR. He would be lost for the year.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Jane Slater report that Smith is gathering medical opinions on his neck after a setback, and one option being considered is shutting down for the season, per sources informed of the situation.

No final decision has been made, but Smith’s status remains up in the air.

Smith is sitting out practices this week so it is unlikely, at best, he would play in Week 5.

Report: Tyron Smith considering sitting out rest of Cowboys season

After missing 3 games a season for four years in a row, Smith may be about to miss a whole lot more with his neck issue.

The Dallas Cowboys keep receiving blow after blow when it comes to injury and the once-vaunted offensive line. Earlier in the day, head coach Mike McCarthy let on that left tackle Tyron Smith, back just one game after dealing with neck stingers, was not recovering well. The announcement clearly put Smith’s status for Week 5 against the New York Giants in deep jeopardy.

Now, it’s been revealed that much more than Sunday’s game is at risk. NFL Network’s Jane Slater and Mike Garafolo are stating that Smith is receiving second opinions about his neck and there is consideration of shutting him down for the remainder of the 2020 season. Already missing right tackle La’el Collins for the year after a hip injury, losing Smith would be a crushing blow.

Smith, a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All pro, has been a stalwart of the Cowboys offensive line since being drafted in 2011. After one season on the right side, he swapped with Doug Free and has been entrenched as the left tackle since 2012. The 6-foot-5, 320 pound star from USC has stood as the prototype for his position ever since, as his athleticism and power are everything a team would want in a blindside protector.

Injury has caught up with him over the last half decade, as a series of ailments have hindered him in several games while causing him to miss 3 contests each of the last four seasons.

The club has only used one draft pick on a tackle since bringing Smith aboard, the ill-fated selection of Chaz Green in 2015’s third round. Collins was acquired that draft season as well, but was a UDFA despite having first-round pedigree.

If Smith does rule himself out for the year, or even if he doesn’t, one would have to wonder if the front office would heavily consider investing in the position in the upcoming draft.

For now, the Cowboys would be left to decide what to do with the players they have on hand.

Dallas will have to man both positions with some combination of Brandon Knight (2019 UDFA), Terence Steele (2020 UDFA), Jordan Mills (midseason signing), William Sweet (signed off Browns practice squad this week) and Eric Smith (signed after Week 1). Cam Erving, signed in the offseason to be the swing tackle, lost that job to Steele going into the opener and has been out since spraining his MCL.

There’s rarely any solid options on the free agent market at that position during the season, so the Cowboys may have to get creative. They could potentially look for a trade, which is unlikely as teams tend to keep good tackles, or they could consider shuffling their offensive line.

Zack Martin, who played left tackle in college, kicked out when injuries took hold in Week 3 against Seattle. He could be asked to do so again. Connor Williams, left guard, also played tackle in college but he seems like more of a stretch considering his play inside hasn’t been stellar. Knight played fairly admirably in the two games Smith missed, but that brings Steele back into the equation at right tackle, and his performance has been underwhelming.

The Cowboys answer for what they do on Sunday may not end up being what they do if Smith misses extended time.

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McCarthy: Tyron Smith further back, LVE ahead of schedule

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy held his usual Thursday press conference and as has always been the case early in the season, injury woes were the central talking point. Dallas survived two games without stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith, but …

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy held his usual Thursday press conference and as has always been the case early in the season, injury woes were the central talking point. Dallas survived two games without stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith, but got him back for last week’s loss at Cleveland. It now appears he’s suffered a setback despite playing all 82 snaps last week.

The neck stingers have returned.

The Cowboys offensive line replaced two members in game, with center Tyler Biadasz coming in after one play to replace an injured Joe Looney (knee) and Brandon Knight coming in to spell a turnstile-ish Terence Steele (2 sacks, 1 strip) at right tackle. That seemed to settle down the line with Smith anchoring the left side, but missing him again will likely send the offensive line back into disarray.

Meanwhile there appears to be some positive news, as not only has middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch began ramping up after collarbone surgery, there seems to be some semblance of a chance he plays this weekend, even if remote. Vander Esch will put on the pads on Thursday.

With the way others have played all season, it’s possible Vander Esch returns to be the best player on a struggling defense, which could use his help. Jaylon Smith and Joe Thomas have played virtually every defensive snap since Vander Esch went down in Week 1, and he was going to be the focal point of Mike Nolan’s defense this year.

The Cowboys could certainly use a boost on defense as it appears the offense will have to play mix and match yet again.

Also of note, right tackle La’el Collins hip surgery was deemed successful and all signs look to a full recovery for the 2021 season.

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Tyron Smith among four Cowboys not to practice in first injury report

The Cowboys returned to practice in preparation for their Week 5 opponent in the New York Giants. The day one injury report is revealed.

Despite the Dallas Cowboys starting 1-3 on the 2020 season, there is hope in the name of the New York Giants on the horizon for Week 5. While it’s very apparent that nothing is guaranteed, the team comes into their first divisional game of the season with a few more injuries to take note of.

While starting left tackle Tyron Smith played every offensive snap for the Cowboys in their home loss against the Browns, he did not practice on Wednesday. Smith also didn’t practice last Wednesday so this is possibly a new type of veteran day off type of situation.

Center Joe Looney (knee) along with two defensive ends in Dorance Armstrong (knee) and Tyrone Crawford (ankle) sat off to the side for day one in preparation for the Giants. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (shoulder/knee) and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (knee) were listed on the injury report for day one but were both full participants in practice.

As far as their Week 5 opponents are concerned only linebacker Oshane Ximines (shoulder) sat out of practice with a shoulder concern. Defensive backs Jabrill Peppers (ankle), Adrian Colber (neck) and linebacker Kyler Fackrell (neck) were limited in today’s practice.

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Joe Looney out, rookie Biadasz to start at center for Cowboys

It’s ‘next man up’ in Dallas, where rookie Tyler Biadasz will start at center in place of Joe Looney, now out 2-3 weeks with an MCL sprain.

The dramatic shuffling along the Cowboys’ offensive line continues.

After going down on the very first snap of Week 4’s game versus Cleveland, center Joe Looney has been lost to an MCL sprain, the team announced on Tuesday. The timetable for his return is expected to be 2-3 weeks, though the team has not officially placed him on injured reserve.

Rookie Tyler Biadasz stepped in for the remainder of Sunday’s game in Looney’s stead and will get the start in his absence. The fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin has played well thus far this season, also seeing considerable game action in the Week 3 loss to Seattle.

It’s widely thought the promising rookie won’t be giving the starting job back to Looney even after his knee injury heals.

Looney does have experience at other positions along the offensive line, a trait that will likely come in handy as Dallas has seen a number of its front blockers missing time over the young season.

La’el Collins, on injured reserve to start the season, will indeed have surgery for a hip issue and miss the entire 2020 season. That news first broke over the weekend, and was finally all but confirmed by team owner Jerry Jones on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday.

Brandon Knight and Terence Steele have platooned in Collins’s right tackle slot, with each seeing substantial time in the lineup.

Left tackle Tyron Smith, who missed the team’s Week 2 and 3 contests as he dealt with neck stingers, returned to action versus Cleveland and played all 82 offensive snaps.

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