The first official Dallas Cowboys game week practice kicked off at The Star in Frisco Monday morning.
There is an anticipation for the upcoming season that is stronger than it has been in years past.
Dallas will field one of it’s strongest rosters in recent memory, with very few, if any, weak spots at any position.
One of those positions that does not have the depth to make Cowboys Nation feel comfortable is offensive line.
Earlier this morning, some news broke that is making all of us sweat until more details come out.
Cowboys starting left guard and second year player Tyler Smith exited practice with an apparent injury.
The newest report from Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Gehlken is that it is believed to be a hamstring injury.
Cowboys LG Tyler Smith exited practice today with hamstring discomfort, a person familiar with the situation said. Initial belief is it’s minor.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 4, 2023
He did walk off on his own power, so that’s encouraging.
Currently considered minor, it does raise questions as to what this offensive line would look like should any of the starters miss time with injury.
Usually, it’s oft-injured veteran Tyron Smith that we mention will eventually need to be replaced at some point in the season.
Tyron has not played a full healthy season since 2015, and has famously missed 44 games with various injuries since then.
Well, this time around we need to discuss what will happen should this minor injury to Tyler not be so minor.
Who Steps In?
Prior to the final roster cuts, this question had more options.
Afterwards, not so much.
With All-Pro Zack Martin holding out for what turned out to be nearly all offseason activities, the Cowboys were able to experiment with several different offensive line combinations.
Both veterans and young players got the chance to partake in the shuffle, but none of them wowed the coaches.
Injured Reserve has already eliminated two players from this equation.
Josh Ball, a career tackle, albeit unsuccessful, was bumped inside to guard by new Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari.
Unfortunately, Ball was placed on season ending Injured Reserve before the final cut to a 53 man roster after suffering an injury to his hip/groin area.
Matt Waletzko, another tackle who the Cowboys experimented with at guard, was placed on Injured Reserve-Designated to Return after suffering yet another shoulder subluxation near the end of camp.
That leaves three players the Cowboys can choose from to step in should Tyler not be ready to go by Sunday night.
Chuma Edoga
The veteran journeyman is listed on the Cowboys depth chart at left tackle behind Tyron Smith.
However, we can argue that he looked much better this offseason while filling in at guard.
That also could be because lining up at tackle against the fierce and talented defensive ends the Cowboys have can make any player look bad.
Edoga has 13 games of NFL experience as a starter during his times with the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons.
No matter his experience, it’s already more than the other two options the Cowboys have.
Asim Richards
The rookie 5th round pick from the University of North Carolina played tackle in college, but the Cowboys have utilized him inside since the start of camp.
Thrusting Asim Richards into the starting lineup in his first game in the NFL at a position he didn’t play in college isn’t ideal.
Especially against the stout interior of the New York Giants led by Dexter Lawrence.
TJ Bass
Another rookie, TJ Bass went undrafted out of the University of Oregon, and signed with the Cowboys.
Bass going undrafted was a surprise, as many draft pundits gave him a draft grade as high as a 5th round pick.
He has looked good during the offseason, and impressed enough to make the final roster as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Bass looked more comfortable at right guard, filling in for the absent Zack Martin, but I have confidence he can slide to the left side and be just as effective.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that, and Tyler Smith makes a full recovery prior to the Sunday night opener.
