Dak Prescott Loses Top Protector Days Before Cowboys Season Opener
Cowboys All-Pro guard is set for thumb surgery and will miss the start of the season, leaving a gap in Dak Prescott's protection.
Dallas Cowboys fans are bracing for a difficult start to the 2026 season after the team announced that offensive lineman Tyler Smith will miss four to six weeks due to thumb surgery. Smith, a 2023 second-team All-Pro, underwent the procedure on Tuesday to address an injury to his left thumb. The 32-year-old will be placed on Injured Reserve with a return designation, meaning he must miss a minimum of four games before resuming play.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed optimism that Smith will recover quickly and return before too long. In his absence, T.J. Bass will fill the void, having played in 16 games (including five starts) for Dallas in 2025. The Cowboys, set to face formidable opponents in their opening month, including the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will have to navigate a challenging schedule without their star lineman.
The team's opening match-up, against the New York Giants on September 13, adds to the pressure as Smith's injury could prove costly for the Dallas Cowboys in their first game of the 2026 season.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
