Cowboys expect left tackle Tyron Smith to return next week

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to return to the starting lineup next Sunday at San Francisco, executive vice president Stephen Jones said.

Smith saw his 55-game starting streak come to an end when he couldn’t go because of a back injury that flared up during Friday’s practice. Swing tackle Chaz Green filled the void and played well, as the O-line didn’t allow a sack in a 31-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.

But Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, should be able to go against the 49ers.

“It didn’t come around fast enough and we didn’t think it was worth it to put him out there,” Jones said. “We’ll get him well and should respond and be ready to go next week.”

Sunday marked only the second game Smith hasn’t played in during his six-year career. He missed the Week 12 game in 2012 with an ankle injury.

“He’s a dependable guy,” Jones said. “It was just unfortunate, the timing of it. He had it happen Friday. Had it happened earlier in the week, we probably would’ve had no issues.”

Still, the Cowboys showed the depth of the offensive line with Green playing well in Smith’s spot. It marked Green’s first NFL start, and the best rushing performance for the Cowboys in this young season.

This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 12:29 AM with the headline "Cowboys expect left tackle Tyron Smith to return next week."