Dallas Cowboys All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith is scheduled to undergo thumb surgery and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday.
The procedure will likely force Smith to miss the first four to six weeks of the NFL season, creating a vacancy on the Cowboys' offensive line just days before their season opener against the New York Giants.
T.J. Bass is expected to step in as the starting left guard in Smith's absence. Bass, who joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, has made 10 career starts for Dallas, including five last season. The team tendered him a second-round restricted free agent offer this offseason.
Smith's absence represents a significant loss for Dallas' offense. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed only three sacks and 26 pressures last season. Since being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith has allowed 12 sacks and made 63 career starts.
The Cowboys' challenging initial six-game stretch includes matchups against the Giants, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Green Bay Packers.