Cowboys Pro Bowler Smith out 4-6 weeks with thumb injury

Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith will undergo thumb surgery, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Smith, who's earned a Pro Bowl berth in each of the past three seasons, is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. TJ Bass will start at left guard for the Cowboys with Smith on injured reserve. The thumb issue has bothered Smith "for some time," and he tried to avoid surgery, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Smith, 25, played left tackle as a rookie in 2022 before transitioning to left guard, where he's started 46 regular-season games for the Cowboys. The former first-round pick earned a second-team All-Pro berth in 2023.