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Tyler Smith to miss season start with thumb surgery

9/8/2026

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Summary

Tyler Smith Out

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced that left guard Tyler Smith will miss the season start after thumb surgery.
Smith is expected to miss 4-6 weeks and will be placed on injured reserve.
TJ Bass will start at left guard until Smith returns.
Dallas opens its season against the New York Giants on Sunday night.

Summary

Tyler Smith Signs

Tyler Smith signed a four-year, $96 million contract in September 2025.
Smith was the No. 24 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Tulsa.
He earned three straight Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors in 2023.
Smith previously underwent right-knee cleanup surgery after the Pro Bowl, adding to his injury history.
Dallas tendered T.J. Bass a $5.7 million second-round offer as a restricted free agent.

History

Historical Context

After the NFL-AFL merger was announced in 1966 and took effect for the 1970 season, the combined league reorganized into a 26-team structure with three former NFL clubs—Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh—shifting to the American Football Conference. This realignment introduced a common draft and unified rules, shaping the Dallas Cowboys franchise, which began play in 1960 and now faces guard Tyler Smith’s thumb surgery.

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Tyler Smith Out

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced that left guard Tyler Smith will miss the season start after thumb surgery.
Smith is expected to miss 4-6 weeks and will be placed on injured reserve.
TJ Bass will start at left guard until Smith returns.
Dallas opens its season against the New York Giants on Sunday night.

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