Dallas Cowboys Lose All Pro Due to Thumb Surgery

ARLINGTON, TX — The Dallas Cowboys have been lucky so far through camp, but now a star offensive lineman is out due to a thumb injury.

Starting left guard Tyler Smith is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday. Veteran backup T.J. Bass will step in and take over while Smith is out recovering. 

Smith was a somewhat surprising pick by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 24th overall pick out of Tulsa. He played high school football at North Crowley and initially committed to Abilene Christian University before switching to Tulsa. 

His rookie season in 2022, Smith played 99% of the offensive snaps (1,144) and started all 17 games. He has been super consistent playing 97% of the snaps in 2023, 96% in 2024, and 99% again in 2025. In 63 games, Smith has only given up three sacks.

With Smith’s outlook, he should be back for the Oct. 18 game against the Green Bay Packers, but could come back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the week before.

With Smith out, in comes T.J. Bass, who went undrafted in 2023 and was signed by the Cowboys out of college. He does offer position flex at guard and center and had five starts last season without giving up any sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Bass had a 99% pass blocking efficiency last season.

The NFL season starts this week, and the Dallas Cowboys open up against the New York Giants at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.