DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - After a week of uncertainty surrounding his availability for the home opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Cowboys starting left tackle Tyron Smith is officially out for the game.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had previously stated to 105.3 The Fan on Friday that Smith would be a game time decision heading into the matchup with a neck injury he suffered in Thursday's practice.
"An offensive line is a close a thing to several players (five) being one as you can be in football," Jones told K&C Masterpiece. "That unit has to work together and usually coordinated carefully with some help from either a tight end or a full back, or a running back that does what full backs do and that's protect the passer. Having said that, it takes more work, it takes more coordination.
Dallas will now be forced to turn to un-drafted free agents Terence Steele and Brandon Knight to handle the tackle duties, alongside newly signed Eric Smith and Alex Light, who should also play into the game plan at the position.
OG Conner McGovern will also be active for the first time in his NFL Career on Sunday.
Knight is currently slated to start at the left tackle spot in place of Smith, while Steele will once again occupy the right tackle position.
In the 12 games Smith has missed for the Cowboys in his career, Dallas is 7-5.
