Tyron Smith injury: Cowboys have limited options to pick from

With star left tackle Tyron Smith shelved into December, the Dallas Cowboys have to figure out a replacement plan, but it won’t be easy.

The Dallas Cowboys are not having a good week.

On Wednesday night, Dallas sustained a crippling injury when left tackle Tyron Smith crumbled to the ground with a non-contact injury in practice. Smith slowly walked off the field and was later diagnosed as having a torn left hamstring, keeping him out of action into December.

Without their eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-Team All-Pro protecting quarterback Dak Prescott’s blindside, the Cowboys have significant issues moving forward.

Cowboys have to find answer after Tyron Smith’s hamstring injury

For starters, nobody replacing Smith is anywhere near his Hall-of-Fame talent level. The options on the market are headlined by Eric Fisher, who has played nine seasons including eight with the Kansas City Chiefs and then 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts, coming off a torn Achilles tendon. Fisher struggled in Indy at times, but he remains a serviceable option.

Should Dallas decide to stay internal, the juggling act begins.

Owner/general manager Jerry Jones selected Tyler Smith out of Tulsa in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, a hulking tackle who has kicked inside this summer to play left guard. He’s replacing Connor Williams, who departed in free agency for the Miami Dolphins.

If Tyler Smith does move to his collegiate position, who steps up and plays at left guard? The likely answer is veteran Connor McGovern, entering his fourth season with Dallas. McGovern played guard in spurts last season, starting six games as Dallas tried to find the right answer between he and Williams.

Dallas’ offensive line was already in flux after losing Williams and right tackle La’el Collins to free agency, but now will have another new starter at the unit’s most-important post.