Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Thursday that first-round draft pick Tyler Smith will get the first crack at replacing left tackle Tyron Smith. Tyron Smith will undergo surgery Friday to repair a comminuted fracture in his left knee after suffering the injury in Wednesday’s practice. But retired Bengals and Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth said he heard from the Cowboys on Thursday to gauge his interest in returning to the NFL. “He has,” Whitworth said. “I mean, obviously, there was some stuff with the Cowboys and losing Tyron Smith. It’s just an awful deal. Such a great player and a guy I’ve always enjoyed watching play. It’s been a long day answering calls. The problem is that they are calling and texting the wrong person. They need to be texting and calling Melissa Whitworth and the kids because they have the final say on whether I ever play football again.” Whitworth, 40, played 16 seasons, the last five with the Rams. He retired after the Rams won Super Bowl LVI in February. Tyler Smith spent training camp at left guard, competing with Connor McGovern for the starting job, but was a three-year starter at left tackle in college.
