Perennial All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith was held out of last week’s OTA practices with back tightness, causing a new wave of concern for a lineman who hasn’t been able to play a full season’s worth of games for the Cowboys since 2015.
The eight-time Pro Bowler was back in action this week, though, at least in limited fashion.
Reports from The Star on Thursday indicate that Smith, 31, participated in both the individual and team drills as the Cowboys wrapped up the second two-day voluntary session of the offseason.
He took most of the first-team reps at left tackle.
Cowboys LT Tyron Smith practiced today, including team periods, after missing last week with back tightness pic.twitter.com/8kRdUcyPnm
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) June 2, 2022
Tyler Smith, the first-year Tulsa product, also spent time at left tackle. On one play, the team website notes, he “blocked Micah Parsons off the edge with no trouble at all,” previewing the power that made him the team’s first-round draft pick this year.
“I think Tyler’s going to be a really good player,” Parsons said, per team staff writer David Helman. We’re all really excited about him. He’s a strong kid. He gets his hands on you, I don’t see too many people getting away. He’s got the best of a lot of guys here in practice.”
Mike McCarthy said Tyler Smith seems more natural at guard right now. His physicality shows up and he has impressed the veteran players. Dak Prescott couldn't shut up about Smith's strength. And he compared his power to Ron Leary as did Zeke Elliott and Zack Martin#dallascowboys
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) June 2, 2022
The Cowboys tried several OL configurations during the portion of practice that was open to the media. Tyler Smith played left tackle with Connor McGovern at left guard, but he also played left guard alongside Tyron Smith at tackle and Connor McGovern at center. Rookie Matt Waletzko also got some first-team snaps at left tackle.
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