Tyler Smith is heading to injured reserve after undergoing thumb surgery, and Dallas has a bigger offensive line problem than just right tackle.
The Cowboys are not replacing Tyler Smith with one guy on this roster because there is not another Tyler Smith on this roster. I feel like I know who will be the replacement guard, but there are a few possible options.
All the Cowboys can do now is figure out which replacement gives them the best chance to hold things together until he gets back.
I think this whole thing will start and end with T.J. Bass.
T.J. Bass is the Safest Answer
T.J. Bass has started games at left guard, knows the offense and has worked with the starters before.
Last season, we watched as he played 352 offensive snaps and allowed only four pressures without giving up a sack or quarterback hit. I would be perfectly fine with tha outcome this season.
The simplest answer to this problem is Bass. Put him at left guard and don’t start moving everyone else around. That could spell disaster for the offense.
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Wanya Morris makes this a little more interesting.
Wanya Morris Had Reps at Left Guard
I don’t know if this will make anyone feel better, but Wanya Morris has worked at left guard before. Kansas City gave him first-team reps there during training camp in 2024, although all of his reps in game action have been at tackle.
He probably gets some reps at the position now that the Tyler Smith injury has come to light, but I would still go with the familiar player in T.J. Bass. We don’t need to see anything fancy from this front office, just use what is in front of you.
Broderick Jones Could Get a Look
Recently acquired tackle Broderick Jones could cross some of the coaches’ minds. However, he has only played tackle in his career. Moving him inside would be completely new, but should Dallas dismiss this move?
I couldn’t find any guard experience from Pittsburgh or the University of Georgia, so this could be the longest of long shots.
Dallas went out and traded for Jones to battle with Terence Steele at right tackle, but if they think he is one of the best five offensive linemen, I would at least want to see what he looks like at guard, even though he will be nowhere near Tyler Smith’s level.
Jones has the size and power, but can he adjust to everything moving faster inside?
Bass is still the guy I know who can replace Tyler Smith for a short stint.
Other Names to Consider
I think Ajani Cornelius could get a look after working at guard during the preseason, and Nick Leverett has NFL starts at left guard.
So we have options, are they all great, no. But if it were me, Bass gets the first shot and Morris gets some work there to see if they have anything untapped.
Losing Tyler Smith is going to hurt no matter what Dallas does.
We watched as Dallas added bodies up front. With Tyler Smith out, one of them has to prove he was worth adding.
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