Smith, 31, has dealt with various injury issues in recent seasons, missing at least three games every year since 2016. When healthy, he remains one of the game’s top tackles and an eight-time Pro Bowler, but the designation “when is healthy” is increasingly necessary. Dallas is already undergoing massive changes along the offensive line this offseason, with the team having let left guard Connor Williams leave in free agency and then cutting ties with right tackle Lael Collins. The former was expected to be replaced by first-round pick Tyler Smith, whom the team identified as its left tackle of the future, but also someone who could start at guard alongside Tyron Smith in the short term. It’s possible that in the wake of Tyron Smith’s serious injury, the Cowboys simply kick their first-round pick out immediately, speeding up the transition process from the potential future Hall of Famer who has held down the left side of the line since 2012 (The Smith played right tackle as a rookie in 2011.) The other homegrown picks are 2021 fourth-rounder Josh Ball, who has struggled greatly during training camp, 2022 fifth-rounder Matt Waletzko, who has played exclusively on the right side during camp and is coming off an injury, and veteran swing tackle Aviante Collins, who has played just five games since decommitting from TCU in 2017. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports NFL Insider, the current plan is to replace Smith with one of the internal picks, but the Cowboys will monitor roster moves around the league and determine whether to acquire another offensive lineman. There are still free agent tackles like Eric Fisher and Jason Peters available, and there have been rumors of the Patriots making Isaiah Wynn available via trade. Dallas has plenty of cap space to sign or trade if they want to bring in someone from outside the organization. Regardless of which route the Cowboys ultimately choose, it’s highly unlikely they’ll get the level of production they expect from Smith from any of these picks. For an offense that struggled late last season as the offensive line dealt with injuries and ineffective play, it’s a devastating loss.
