Tyron Smith misses practice with neck injury as Dallas Cowboys line takes another hit
With left tackle Tyron Smith missing practice Thursday because of a neck injury, the Dallas Cowboys’ situation at tackle has gone from questionable to serious.
The seriousness of Smith’s injury is unknown as is his status for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Smith practiced on Wednesday but popped up with the injury Thursday. His ability to practice on Friday will be key to his availability for the Falcons game.
If Smith can’t go, Brandon Knight will likely start at left tackle opposite undrafted rookie free agent Terence Steele at right tackle.
Knight, a 2019 undrafted free agent, made one start as a rookie as an injury replacement.
Steele, a Texas Tech product, is starting in place of La’el Collins who will miss at least the first three games of the season on injured reserve with a hip injury.
The situation is exacerbated by an injury to Cam Erving, who is out for six weeks after hurting his knee in the season-opening loss to the Rams. Erving was signed as a free agent in the off-season to be the backup tackle.
The Cowboys signed tackle Alex Light off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad for depth purposes but guards Zack Martin and Connor Williams are also options to fill in at tackle.
The situation with Smith has become a growing concern. He remains one of the best left tackles in the league when healthy.
But Smith, who turns 30 in December, has battled back issues and missed three regular-season games for the third straight year in 2019.
His status is of utmost importance against the Falcons, who feasted on backups for seven sacks against quarterback Dak Prescott with Smith out in 2017.
In other injury news, wide receiver Amari Cooper and linebacker Aldon Smith were also added to the injury report on Thursday. Cooper was a limited participant with a foot injury and Smith missed practice due to a dental appointment.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 4:52 PM.
