Cowboys Await Tyler Smith's Call as Jerry Jones Gives Update on Pro Bowl Guard's Thumb 1
The Dallas Cowboys have a big decision to make before Thursday night, and it could come down to one player’s confidence in his own hand. Tyler Smith has already missed the Cowboys’ first four games after thumb surgery, however, his return is now close enough to become a real possibility.
The Cowboys opened Smith’s practice window this week, giving the Pro Bowl guard a chance to test the thumb. They have not committed to putting him back in the lineup yet.
Tyler Smith’s Thumb Will Decide Cowboys Return
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jerry Jones provided the latest update on October 7, during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The Cowboys owner said he still isn’t sure whether Smith will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Smith has practiced on a limited basis since returning, so the final call appears to rest with the guard himself.
“Him. How he feels about that hand. He’s ready to play. We’ll just let him feel it out (before the game).”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said he’s not sure if Pro Bowl LG Tyler Smith (thumb) will play Thursday night against the Buccaneers. Smith missed the first four games. He has returned to practice this week but he’s been limited.
What will determine if he plays…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 7, 2026
That lines up with what the Cowboys have been saying since opening Smith’s 21-day practice window on October 5. The three-time Pro Bowler underwent surgery before the season to repair a damaged ligament in his thumb. The initial recovery estimate was four to six weeks, and he was placed on injured reserve.
Now, four games later, Smith is finally eligible to return. The timing is especially interesting because Thursday’s game against the Bucs comes on a short week. Still, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has indicated that the condensed schedule should not automatically keep Smith out if he feels comfortable enough to play.
The Cowboys also have reason to be cautious. Smith’s biggest issue is not conditioning after missing time but whether the thumb can handle the demands of playing guard. Grip strength and hand comfort will be crucial once he starts taking real-game reps.
That makes Thursday a true wait-and-see situation. Smith has already practiced twice this week; however, limited participation is different from taking on a full workload against the Buccaneers.
If he does return, the Cowboys get a major piece of their offensive line back at a critical point. Tyler Guyton has taken a noticeable step at left tackle, while Tyler Booker has settled in at right guard. Adding Smith back at left guard would give the Cowboys a much stronger combination on that side of the line.
The Cowboys can activate Smith at any point during his 21-day window, which runs through October 26, however. Jones’ latest comments make one thing clear: Smith’s thumb, and how he feels about it, will have the final say on Thursday night.