Cowboys Open Tyler Smith's Practice Window After Thumb Surgery

The Cowboys took their first step toward getting Tyler Smith back on the line Monday, designating the guard for return from injured reserve. That move opens a 21-day practice window, meaning Dallas can activate him to the active roster at any point over the next three weeks.

Smith landed on IR after undergoing thumb surgery before Week 1, with the initial timeline pointing to a 4-6 week absence. We're now inside that range, which is why the team is getting the clock started. The question is whether the return happens this week or stretches toward the back end of the window.

The timing is awkward. Dallas is staring down a short week with a Thursday matchup against the Buccaneers, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said it's simply too early to know if Smith will be available for that game. A compressed turnaround rarely favors a player easing back into practice, so don't bank on a Week 6 debut just yet.

Why It Matters For Your Lineup

Smith is one of the better interior blockers in the league, and his return matters most for the Dallas skill players who rely on clean pockets and push in the run game. A healthier front means more trustworthy production from the quarterback and running backs behind it — the kind of ripple effect that doesn't show up in a box score but absolutely shows up in fantasy scoring.

For now, treat this as monitoring, not action. Smith himself isn't a fantasy asset, but his activation is a quiet green light for the Cowboys' offensive outlook. Keep an eye on practice participation ahead of Thursday: a full session or two would signal the line is trending toward whole again, and that's when you lean a little harder into the Dallas pass-catchers and backs on your roster.