When the Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith in 2022, there was a clear vision for what they wanted their offensive line to look like.
Injuries have thus far prevented that unit from coming together, but it looks as though Sunday's game could mark the bucking of that trend.
Tyron Smith has been working his way back from a knee injury that has caused him to miss the last two games. Provided he’s good to go for Sunday’s pivotal matchup with the 49ers, the Cowboys might finally get their top five offensive linemen together.
Terence Steele and Zack Martin would man the right side of the line, with Tyron Smith at left tackle and Tyler Smith at left guard, plus Tyler Biadasz at center. The timing really couldn’t be better as they get set to face San Francisco's elite defense.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy expressed optimism Friday in his weekly appearance on Shan & RJ that he’ll have his five starters together at long last.
“Obviously hopeful, Tyron, his first time he’d gone a couple weeks in padded work, so we’ll see how he comes in today," McCarthy said. "But yeah it looks like we’re on track for that. So, that would definitely be the plan.”
Jerry Jones reaffirmed that later in the day Friday in his appearance on the K&C Masterpiece.
"I do (expect them all to play), but I can’t assure that because we’ve got three days here before we go," Jones said. "But it’s looking promising that we’ll have them available."
The return of Tyron Smith, one of the league's more reliable left tackles, is a big one. Keeping Dak Prescott upright against a loaded 49ers pass rush is a tall task, but one that's more attainable with the 32-year-old playing.
"He’s so, so dynamic and really makes such a difference out there and will make a big difference if he can go (Sunday)," Jones said of Tyron Smith.
Tyler Smith, the 2022 first-round pick out of Tulsa, is the youngster of the group. He had a solid rookie season, despite having to move around periodically to adjust for injuries.
Now that he’s gotten settled in at left guard, he’s thriving.
“I don’t know if the young man could have done any more than we asked for him his rookie season, and I definitely agree with you on the second-year jump,” McCarthy said. “He’s very comfortable now, he’s been able to play one position and get the footwork. He missed a couple weeks with the hamstring, but yeah, Tyler is off to a great start to the season. Very impressed with him.”
Jones concurred.
"He's not only physical, but he’s smart, smart, smart," Jones said. "That’s such a big edge on that offensive line. He’s got so many things – and I can get in real trouble here – that remind me of Larry Allen. One of them is just how smart he is. The other thing is just how strong and mobile he is.
"His ability to sit in there and make the middle what we want it to be, what Dak needs it to be, I just can’t give you the value that adds to the team overall. He’s been playing sound, sound, really, really good football these first four games. But it’s all up for him, he’s got dramatic improvement ahead of him."