The worst-case scenario for the Dallas Cowboys happened in training camp practice.
Their former all-pro left tackle, Tyron Smith, suffered an avulsion fracture of his knee.
He will miss multiple months, if not the entire season.
Now, the Cowboys are in a terrible spot at left tackle.
Inexplicably, the Cowboys’ front office was not prepared for this scenario.
LT Tyron Smith has missed more games (19) than he’s played (13) the past 2 seasons.
All told, he’s missed 31 games over the last 6 seasons. Last time he played a full season was 2015.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) August 25, 2022
Smith has been injured every year since 2015, and the Cowboys have a second-year player who has never played before as his backup.
With only two weeks until the start of the season, it is officially panic mode on the offensive line.
Arguably, this was one of the best units in the NFL.
Now, they have four of five starters without much NFL experience, with Zack Martin as the only sure thing.
The Dallas front office needs to go out and add another offensive lineman.
Here are some options for what the Cowboys could do before the season begins.
Left Tackle Options
The first option the Cowboys will probably try at left tackle is first-round pick, Tyler Smith.
The rookie played all of last season at left tackle for Tulsa.
Jerry Jones after First Take appearance on Tyron Smith. "It’s a big disappointment, none moreso than for Tyron himself. But our game really is that and hello Tyler Smith. He’ll be an important part of this puzzle, our No. 1 draft pick."
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 25, 2022
But, he has not played any snaps with the Cowboys at that position.
It is going to be very hard to trust a rookie to stabilize Dak Prescott‘s blindside.
Especially one that has spent all training camp and preseason games as the starting left guard.
If they choose to keep Tyler Smith at guard, then Josh Ball and Matt Waletzko are the left tackle options.
It would probably be a disaster if the Cowboys decided to go that route, but the front office has not made moves that make sense this off-season.
They released La’el Collins who could stabilize the problem if he was still in Dallas.
But, now they are stuck with rookies or finding another lineman via trade or free agency.
One of those players they could trade for is Isaiah Wynn.
The Patriots’ offensive tackle is entering the last year of his contract and New England is said to be interested in trading him.
The Cowboys should jump all over that opportunity.
Wynn has been good throughout his career, and he would easily be the Cowboys’ best left tackle.
But, this move would be unlike the Cowboys.
They usually do not trade for players in the last year of their deal.
But, to trust Tyron Smith to come back from this injury would be foolish.
It is time to start looking for a new full-time left tackle and that could be Wynn.
The free agents available are Eric Fisher, Jason Peters, and Nate Solder.
While none of those options are great, at least they have all started in NFL games.
The Cowboys have one preseason game left where they should try Tyler Smith at left tackle.
If he is a complete disaster then they know it is time to make a move.
Either way, the Dallas front office has put them in this terrible position with offensive line depth.
Now they are in desperation mode with only two weeks until they open the season against Tampa Bay.
NEXT: NFL Insider Shares A Potential Cowboys OL Target
