Cowboys LG Tyler Smith to undergo thumb surgery, expected to miss 4-6 weeks

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith will undergo thumb surgery and be sidelined for four to six weeks, head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters on Monday.

As a result, the three-time Pro Bowler will be placed on injured reserve. The injury is to a ligament in Smith's thumb and had been bothering the fifth-year veteran for some time, according to Schottenheimer.

After attempting to play with the issue, no improvement was apparent and Smith's grip strength was affected. Thus, the decision was made to undergo surgery, which will occur on Tuesday.

Fourth-year guard T.J. Bass will replace Smith. He appeared in 16 games last season with five starts.

"At the end of the day, he felt like he couldn't do things he to do at a high level," Schottenheimer said, via The Athletic's Jon Machota . "This is a long season, so let's go get it fixed. It's unfortunate, but that's why we coveted T.J. Bass," he added. "He's played a lot of really good football for us and we expect he will continue to do so."

"At the end of the day, he felt like he couldn't do things he to do at a high level," Schottenheimer said, via The Athletic's Jon Machota . "This is a long season, so let's go get it fixed.

It's unfortunate, but that's why we coveted T.J. Bass," he added. "He's played a lot of really good football for us and we expect he will continue to do so."

Despite Smith's absence, the Cowboys are still expected to have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL with center Cooper Beebe and right guard Tyler Booker on the interior, and Tyler Guyton at left tackle and Terence Steele on the right. Recently acquired Broderick Jones is competing with Steele for that right tackle position.

Last season, that line helped Dallas accumulate 6,663 yards, the second-highest total in the league.

Smith, 25, has started 63 games for Dallas during the past four seasons. He played 98% of the team's offensive snaps when he was in the lineup. Last season, he was flagged for seven penalties (three times for holding).

The 6-foot-5, 328-pounder was the Cowboys' 2022 first-round pick (No. 24 overall) out of Tulsa.

Dallas visits the New York Giants for its Week 1 opener and a "Sunday Night Football" showcase on Sunday.