The Dallas Cowboys are on track to return starting left tackle Tyron Smith this week as the team prepares to face NFC East rival Philadelphia this weekend. Smith was inactive for the Week 8 game due to a neck injury he re-aggravated, however, according to Stephen Jones, the team is “hopeful.”
His absence against the Rams was the third of the season after he missed Weeks 3 and 4 already. Since 2015, the veteran has missed at least three games or more each season.
According to team owner and general manager Jerry Jones, Smith would have played for the Cowboys on Sunday if it was a must-win situation. However, the team opted to play it safe with the neck “stinger” and held him out for one more week of rehab.
His backup, Chuma Edoga, started the game for Dallas, however, he suffered an injury to his ankle that knocked him out of the remainder of the game. After getting off to a rough start where the OL gave up three sacks, they managed to keep the QB clean on the way to the win.
Edoga left AT&T Stadium on Sunday without needing a walking boot despite taking a cart off of the field during the game. The former third-rounder out of USC underwent an MRI on Monday and according to Stephen Jones, the injury isn’t “as bad as they thought.” It’s not the most promising reaction but the injury report on Wednesday should provide more clarity.
If Smith and Edoga are still banged up in Week 9, the Cowboys could face the Eagles with a third-string rookie at left tackle. By the end of the 43-20 win on Sunday, rookie Asim Richards was protecting Dak Prescott at left tackle.
Jerry Jones mentions offensive line ahead of trade deadline
The Cowboys currently sit at 5-2 overall and the roster seems in good enough shape for the liking of owner Jerry Jones. With the October 31st trade deadline rapidly approaching, he let everyone know he doesn’t plan to make any moves.
“It doesn’t look like we’ll be doing anything,” Jones said in a tweet posted by Jon Machota of The Athletic.
It’s not that surprising, considering how the Cowboys have looked at times this year. They’re currently allowing 287.4 yards per game on defense, ranking them third in the NFL in that stat. The Cowboys defense looked its most dominant against the New York Giants (40-0) and their awful offensive line.
The one area Dallas could use some extra reinforcements is on the offensive line. Jerry Jones admitted as much on Sunday.
“If you really looked at our team right now, the biggest need is depth in the offensive line,” Jones said, adding, “Everybody in the league is looking for starting offensive linemen. Everybody.”
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