Cowboys eight-time Pro Bowl OT Tyron Smith could miss multiple months with injury, per report
Star linebacker Micah Parsons leaped to avoid tripping over Smith—or falling on him—and then Parsons turned quickly to check on Smith.
Cowboys teammates gathered, concerned.
Late Wednesday night, Smith was confirmed to have torn his left hamstring, ESPN reported. Further review of the severity awaited Thursday, per ESPN, with an initial timeline potentially sidelining Smith for “multiple” months.
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Some heightened degree of severity was feared when trainers flanked Smith’s early exit from practice Wednesday, the left tackle not returning. But in the locker room, Smith was walking on his own power in typical spirits, fellow offensive lineman Connor McGovern said Wednesday night.
“He gave me a nice reassuring grunt like he usually does,” McGovern said. “Playing next to him for so long, I can decipher his grunt.”
James Washington (foot fracture) complete their recoveries. Tulsa lineman Tyler Smith in the first round this spring. Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones projected Smith as the team’s left guard of the present (Dallas let Connor Williams walk in free agency) and left tackle of the future. Jones and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy each deemed Tyler Smith a “left-side player.” But the college tackle has worked at left guard in training camp practices, and he missed practice this week altogether with an ankle sprain that’s not considered serious.
Josh Ball, the Cowboys 2021 fourth-round pick who did not play as a rookie, slid in at left tackle when Tyron Smith went down Wednesday.
Smith hasn’t maintained health through a full season in seven years. He missed five games last season with multiple ailments, including a high ankle sprain, and underwent season-ending neck surgery two games into the 2020 season. Smith’s age is relevant: the 32-year-old is the Cowboys’ oldest and longest-tenured player. And he missed just one game in five seasons after the Cowboys drafted him ninth overall in 2011.
But his health has recently declined. The Cowboys chose not to invest deeply in his backups.
Addressing his swing-tackle roster on Wednesday, McCarthy cited Ball, 2021 undrafted free agent Aviante Collins and rookie fifth-round selection Matt Waletzko. Waletzko missed most of training camp with a shoulder injury.
“I think Josh Ball is growing each week, a great example of someone who needs the reps,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s benefited not only from the joint practices but the high quality of reps he’s had in the first two preseason games. (Aviante Collins) has done a heck of a job too. Those guys have been out there playing. That’s why it’s good to get Matt (Waletzko) out there.
“Young guys that are growing.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.