Tyler Smith has not been a part of the Dallas Cowboys’ high-powered offense this NFL season as he has been sidelined with an injury. Smith was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the 2026 NFL regular season due to a thumb injury.
Quarterback Dak Prescott did well without his All-Pro guard, coming off a 335-passing-yard performance on 32-for-45 completions with a touchdown. With Dallas 26th in the league in rushing yards per game at 89.5, running back Javonte Williams will have to rely on the 6-foot-5 guard’s return.
Photos by Scott Galvin-Imagn
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has the Cowboys at 2-2 entering Week 5, and Smith appears to be trending into play against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter took to social media, providing good news on Smith’s potential return for Week 5. Schefter wrote in the X that Smith returned to practice for the first time since being placed on injured reserve earlier this season.
The former No. 24 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft has been a solid presence on the offensive line since being selected by president, owner and general manager Jerry Jones. The 25-year-old has started all 63 games he has played. The three-time Pro Bowler signed a four-year, $96 million contract with $81.2 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid guard in the NFL at the time.
“Cowboys designated G Tyler Smith to return to practice,” Schefter wrote in X.
Cowboys designated G Tyler Smith to return to practice.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2026
The Cowboys next host the 0-4 Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium for Thursday Night Football at 8:15 pm ET, with coverage on Amazon Prime Video.
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