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Cowboys Receive Major Offensive Line Boost as $96 Million All-Pro Starter Is Cleared vs. Bucs 1
Dallas Cowboys fans receive massive good news before the Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cowboys sitting at 2-2 are in need of a win this week and now they get massive news regarding their defense.
Cowboys’ left guard Tyler Smith was injured in the preseason and couldn’t continue in the roster from the beginning of the season. But eventually he might be up up for some action against the Bucs.
Cowboys activate Tyler Smith before Buccaneers matchup
Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith suffered a lingering injury to a ligament in his left thumb that required surgery just before the start of the 2026 season. The issue had bothered him for some time, and after attempts to manage it, the team and player decided surgery was the best path forward.
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Smith (73) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Smith was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return in early September. The expected recovery window was four to six weeks, meaning he was forced to miss at least the first four games of the season. In his absence, T.J. Bass stepped into the starting left guard role. On October 5, the Cowboys officially opened Smith’s 21-day practice window by designating him for return from injured reserve. He participated in limited fashion early in the week but completed a full practice on Wednesday, October 7.
On Thursday, October 8, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys are activating the All-Pro guard from injured reserve so he can play that night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith’s return strengthens one of the league’s better offensive lines and gives Dallas a significant upgrade up front after several weeks without him.
Cowboys need Tyler Smith
As the starting left guard, he anchors the interior of the offensive line and ranks among the top guards in the NFL. Smith has started all 63 games he has played through the 2025 season. He has earned three straight Pro Bowl selections between 2023 to 2025. and a second-team All-Pro nod in 2023. In 2025 he played 1,109 offensive snaps, allowed just 3 sacks and 26 total pressures, and posted a solid PFF grade. His four-year, $96 million contract extension further shows how highly the organization values him.
His combination of power, athleticism, and consistency makes him a foundational piece for both the run and pass game. Without Smith for the first four weeks of the 2026 season after thumb surgery, the Cowboys turned to T.J. Bass. Bass is a capable backup who has started games before, but he does not match Smith’s elite level of play.
Smith’s return gives the Cowboys better protection for quarterback Dak Prescott, reducing pressure and allowing more time in the pocket. The Cowboys also have an improved run blocking that can open bigger holes for the running backs. He also brings greater continuity and chemistry across the offensive line with the rest of the starters.
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