Jerry Jones picks his Tyron Smith replacement, optimistic return outlook

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on First Take to name his replacement for the injured Tyron Smith.

The importance of whoever will fill Tyron Smith’s shoes for the Dallas Cowboys at left tackle can not be overstated. Dallas hasn’t made it past the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs since Dak Prescott became their starting quarterback, and it’ll be incredibly tricky to do so this year without a capable player blocking Prescott’s blind spot.

Tyron Smith tore his hamstring in practice this week and is reportedly out until December. The Cowboys have some options they could pursue, and on Thursday morning Jerry Jones was quick to instill some confidence in a surprise pick to shoulder the load of the important position.

Jerry Jones says Tyler Smith is his pick to replace the injured Tyron Smith

Maybe Jerry Jones is picking Tyler Smith in hopes that Cowboys fans don’t notice it’s a different “T. Smith” in there blocking the left side? Jokes aside, Jerry Jones appeared on First Take on Thursday morning and was quick to announce his pick to fill in for Tyron: Tyler Smith, who was drafted out of Tulsa with the 24th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota (subscription required), Smith has been playing the left side of the line, but he’s been getting his reps at left guard, not left tackle.

But going to Smith hardly fixes the injury issue the Cowboys are facing on the line. Tyler has missed time of his own as of late in practice with a sprained ankle, and Jones indicated he might even miss the opening regular season game of the year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That said, Jones described the ankle injury as “minor.”

We’ll see what the Cowboys ultimately decide to do with their ever-important left tackle hole.