The Dallas Cowboys organization has added veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to its practice squad just before the 2026 NFL season begins. This roster move addresses the absence of Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who is starting the year on injured reserve. Anna, Texas, is located 100 miles north of the Dallas area where the team is based.
Tomlinson was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft and has accumulated 173 career games, starting 162 of them. His professional experience includes stints with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans. During the 2024 campaign, he started all 17 games for the Seahawks under head coach Mike Macdonald.
After playing for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens in the previous season, he was off an NFL roster following the end of the 2025 campaign in January.
The Cowboys face the New York Giants in four days for their season opener. It remains uncertain whether Tomlinson will move to the active roster for that game, though current practice squad rules allow for his participation on game days. If he does not play, backup interior lineman T.J.
Bass is anticipated to cover for Smith during a recovery period estimated at four to six weeks. Tomlinson brings notable accolades to the group, including a second-team All-Pro selection in 2023 and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 with the 49ers.
