If Dallas Cowboys’ Tyron Smith doesn’t return Sunday, do you play him on Thanksgiving?
The Dallas Cowboys are hopeful that Tyron Smith practices Wednesday and plays Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs after the left tackle missed the last two games with a bone spurs in his ankle.
Team vice president Stephen Jones said on Monday that Smith has “a real shot” at playing this week.
On Tuesday, team owner Jerry Jones said he mirrored his sons’ optimism but it depends on how does in practice this week.
“We will see as the week goes along,” Jerry Jones said. “[Tyron] is the ultimate pro at this stage in his career. You can get a good feel if he’s going to be active that week. It looks good.”
Coach Mike McCarthy said the plan is for Smith to practice on some level on Wednesday. If continues to progress throughout the week, then he will play on Sunday.
If he doesn’t then, the Cowboys could hold him out until the Thanksgiving Day game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 25 or wait until their match up with the Saints in New Orleans on the following Thursday, Dec. 2.
The issue of having only three days of rest between the Chiefs and Raiders games is the tricky part of the situation, McCarthy said.
“This is a stretch that you got to be very conscientious of how guys are going into this game and just do the math,” McCarthy said. “If someone’s in danger of playing this week, you don’t play them til Thanksgiving Day, then they play New Orleans. This will be the game that is probably under the most scrutiny on if a guy plays or doesn’t play.”
The Cowboys would love to get Smith back for Sunday’s crucial game against the Chiefs to help contain pass rushers Frank Clark, Melvin Ingram and Chris Jones.
If Smith doesn’t go, Terence Steele will start at left tackle for the third straight week with La’el Collins at right tackle.
If Smith plays, look for Collins to remain at right tackle with Steele serving as the swing tackle.
Steele started five games at right tackle when Collins served an NFL suspension for violating substance abuse policy. Steele kept the job for one game after Collins returned before moving to left tackle to replace Smith.
Jones said Collins is only going to get better as the year goes on and he adds a needed element to the offensive line.
“He is the enforcer,” Jerry Jones said. “He got a dark side, and it’s a good side.”
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 5:11 PM.
