Tyron Smith injury and Clarence Hill’s 8 Dallas Cowboys Players to Watch vs. Seahawks
The Cowboys have one preseason game left before final cuts are made on Tuesday.
But some roster decisions are starting to be crystallized by coach Mike McCarthy and the front office as the team prepares for Friday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in the only home game of the preseason.
So far the outlook for the offensive line is grim with Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith suffering a torn hamstring in practice Wednesday. Also, McCarthy admitted that Connor McGovern, not first-round pick Tyler Smith, would start at left guard if the season started today.
Smith looked fine walking out of the facility after practice but a severed hamstring injury was revealed following an MRI exam. He could miss several months, per ESPN.
The team has no proven backup at tackle. 2021 fourth-round pick Josh Ball is the current leader at the swing tackle spot. But he is a largely unproven second-year player who has struggled in camp.
Smith’s health could impact what the team does at left guard where McGovern, not Tyler Smith, leads the way. McGovern and Tyler Smith are options at left tackle as well.
McCarthy said no final decision has been made but acknowledged that Tyler Smith needs more reps.
Smith is currently slowed by an ankle injury that has kept him out of the last two days of practice. It is not considered serious but it is costing him reps and his status for the Seahawks game is uncertain.
Even more shocking was McCarthy’s postscript.
“I don’t think you take a rookie and line him up [right now] as a starter,” he said.
Owner Jerry Jones would counter that most players drafted in the first round are expected to be walk-in starters.
Clarence Hill’s 8 Players to Watch vs. Seattle Seahawks
LG Connor McGovern
McGovern is the current starter at left guard but he will open the game against Seahawks at center as the Cowboys continue to look for help behind Tyler Biadasz. McGovern also backs up tackle and is the short-yardage fullback. He wants to be the starter at left guard but knows the sentiment is strong for Tyler Smith.
WR Jalen Tolbert
Third-round pick Jalen Tolbert has been better in practice this week after struggling in the first two preseason games. The Cowboys have no interest in adding a veteran receiver on cut-down day, owner Jerry Jones said. They believe in Tolbert. He needs to show up and produce when the lights come on in games.
QB Will Grier
Will Grier has been the backup quarterback who has offered the most intrigue in camp because of his aggressiveness and moxie. But a groin injury kept him out of the Broncos game and he aggravated it against the Chargers. He is not 100% but will get the bulk of the load against the Seahawks in a final attempt to unseat Cooper Rush as Dak Prescott’s No. 2.
RB Malik Davis
The Cowboys know what they have in Rico Dowdle as the potential third running back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. He is explosive and reliable. But Malik Davis has turned heads since the first day of camp with his speed and raw power. Davis has led the Cowboys in rushing in the preseason with 16 carries for 88 yards. With another strong showing, does he force the team to keep four running backs or does he replace Dowdle as No. 3?
OT Matt Waletzko
Tyron Smith’s injury makes Matt Waletzko’s play against the Seahawks even more important. The rookie fifth-round pick has been out with a shoulder injury and missed the first two preseason games. Josh Ball is now the favorite at the swing tackle largely because he was unchallenged. Waletzko will finally get a chance to show what he can do against the Seahawks. The Cowboys could also address the position via free agency or a trade.
K Brett Maher
Mike McCarthy said Brett Maher won the kicker battle against Lirim Hajrullahu because he is better on kickoffs. Now he is competing against the kickers on rosters across the league before final cuts. Maher was 9-of-11 on kicks in practice Wednesday. He needs to show he can do it games.
WR KaVontae Turpin
KaVontae Turpin has already made the team as the primary kick returner. But he will get some opportunities to excite the home crowd against the Seahawks on returns and at receiver. Turpin got reps with the first team offense in practice this week as Cowboys are looking for ways to take advantage of his blazing speed in the regular offense. He will get a long look at receiver against the Seahawks and not just on sweeps.
CB Kelvin Joseph
The Cowboys have some tough decisions to make at cornerback. Rookie DaRon Bland has already secured a spot on the roster behind starters Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis. Second-year players Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright are under the microscope. Joseph’s off-the-field issues have placed him squarely on the bubble. He has talent but has made few plays on the ball. His lack of production make you wonder if he’s worth the trouble.
