The Dallas Cowboys have adjusted their roster in response to the injury of Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith, who has been placed on injured reserve due to a thumb injury that will require surgery. Smith is projected to be out for four to six weeks, leading the Cowboys to promote veteran lineman Nick Leverett from their practice squad to the active roster.
Although Leverett has joined the active roster, he is not expected to immediately take on a starting role. T.J. Bass, who has 10 career starts and is familiar with the Cowboys' offensive scheme, is anticipated to step in as the starting left guard.
Leverett, an undrafted free agent from Rice University in 2020, has prior experience with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played from 2021 to 2023, starting 10 games. He also had brief tenures with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals in 2024, where he collaborated with Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams.
In a related move, the Cowboys have signed veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad. Tomlinson, selected as a first-round pick in 2015 by the Detroit Lions, boasts extensive experience with 162 career starts, including seven games last season with the Houston Texans.
These strategic moves come as the Cowboys seek to maintain their offensive line's stability after Smith's injury just as the season is about to commence.
