Cowboys offensive line unlikely to be at full strength vs. Saints

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Smith, who sustained a neck stinger two weeks ago against the Atlanta Falcons, did not play last week. He dressed to play but it was determined during warmups that his neck still wasn’t ready. He has not practiced with the team this week.

Cameron Fleming started for Smith against the Redskins. Fleming was signed to a one-year deal in March as a backup to Smith. Smith missed three games because of injury in each of the previous two seasons.

Last week’s game was the first he’s missed in 2018. Smith is also dealing with a left elbow injury, according to Garrett, but when asked about wearing a special elbow pad after last week’s game, Smith downplayed any injury. Fleming started 20 games from 2014-17 for the New England Patriots.

A backup option at left tackle is rookie Connor Williams. Williams lost his starting guard spot to Xavier Su’a-Filo after a knee injury a month ago. Williams played left tackle at the University of Texas.

This story was originally published November 27, 2018 at 11:28 AM.