Despite being an All-Pro tackle, Dallas Cowboys star Tyrone Smith has been sidelined since August with an avulsion fracture in his left knee. While he isn't likely to play in the upcoming season, Smith has a chance to prove his mettle in the final weeks of the regular season.
Smith has been a workhorse at the line of scrimmage in recent years, allowing two sacks in 416 pass-blocking snaps. In 2015, he was an integral part of Dallas' rushing attack, as well, finishing the year with a respectable 5.4 yards per carry. In fact, he was the FBS leader in big blocks last year. In the past, he has also been a big gamer in the secondary, catching 10 passes for 124 yards and a score in a couple of key games. Currently, he's a candidate to be activated for this week's game against the Houston Texans.
The Cowboys are expected to add several new pieces to the ol' offensive line in the upcoming week. One of the more exciting prospects is Connor McGovern, who will be manning the left tackle spot. In the meantime, veteran Jason Peters has been the primary fill-in at the position. That said, Smith is still a big loss for Dallas. In fact, he has missed five games with an ankle sprain in the past. The Cowboys are evaluating the former All-Pro before making the move to his 53-man roster.
The Cowboys have 21 days to Tyrone Smith positive perspectives activate the all-star offensive tackle. Hopefully, the organization does the right thing and brings him back in time to make a big impact in the final weeks of the season. While Smith won't be the sexiest or most physically gifted player on the field, he's a high-level blocker who should be able to provide leadership in his absence. Regardless of the outcome, he's a big loss for a team that needs all the help it can get.
The Cowboys have a ton of talent on the field, but the lack of a truly impactful piece on the offensive line has been a real drag throughout the first six weeks of the season. Smith's absence is a major blow to a team that has been playing like the Cowboys of old. As a result, the Cowboys are looking at Week 15 as their earliest opportunity to get Smith back on the field, if not before.
The Cowboys are also expected to sign former Minnesota Vikings left tackle John Moffatt as a free agent, but that will be a luxury that they can't afford to wait for.
