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Cowboys Bench Tyler Smith, Start T.J. Bass at Guard

9/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Cowboys will start T.J. Bass at left guard while Tyler Smith misses 4-6 weeks after thumb surgery.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Smith will undergo thumb surgery Tuesday and be placed on injured reserve with a return designation.
Smith’s earliest eligible return is Week 5 on Oct. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bass, who signed a $5.76 million tender on March 17, allowed eight pressures and no sacks in 198 pass-blocking snaps last season.

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Story summary

Cowboys will start T.J. Bass at left guard while Tyler Smith misses 4-6 weeks after thumb surgery.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Smith will undergo thumb surgery Tuesday and be placed on injured reserve with a return designation.
Smith’s earliest eligible return is Week 5 on Oct. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bass, who signed a $5.76 million tender on March 17, allowed eight pressures and no sacks in 198 pass-blocking snaps last season.