In need of a bounceback win this week when the Dallas Cowboys host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the team is dealing with some injuries along the offensive line. It should come as no surprise that the Dallas Cowboys will be without Left Tackle Tyron Smith after suffering a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.
There is a surprise injury that the Cowboys are dealing with this week, though as Jason Garrett’s said that Right Tackle La’el Collins will sit out of practice today because of a back injury.
Jason Garrett said that Tyron Smith and La’el Collins will not practice on Wednesday. Tyron is obvious but La’el won’t due to a back injury.
He also said that Connor Williams and Cam Fleming will be the tackles at Wednesday’s practice. Hmm.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) October 2, 2019
The Dallas Cowboys offensive line depth is already being tested with Tyron Smith’s injury and with Collins out, they’re really going to be stretched thin. Cam Fleming and Connor Williams will be the tackles today, but it will be interesting to see how they line them up.
Fleming came into the game in the final minute on Sunday to replace Smith in the wake of his injury and looked to be the starter at left tackle while Smith is out. However, if the Cowboys think that La’el Collins will miss this Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers then it would make more sense to bump Connor Williams out to left tackle and use Cam Fleming at right tackle.
It would be a more natural transition to move from left guard to left tackle as the footwork is more similar than moving out to the right side of the line. Williams played left tackle at the University of Texas, but he took snaps at right tackle in anticipation of a possible move for the 2020 season. If Collins sitting out is more a rest day or precautionary, then it would make more sense to let Williams take the snaps at right tackle with Fleming slated to start left tackle in place of Tyron Smith.
The Cowboys offensive line didn’t play very well in their loss to the Saints on Sunday and if they have to play without La’el Collins in addition to the already deemed out Tyron Smith, then the Cowboys offensive line will be tested by the Packers. It’ll be important to watch the injury reports the rest of the week, but it would be a huge blow if Collins has to sit. He’s been their best offensive lineman in 2019 and had a great game against Pro Bowl Defensive End Cam Jordan.
