The Dallas Cowboys desperately need a win Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles to remain alive in the NFC East race.
Already without running back Ezekiel Elliott (suspended) and linebacker Sean Lee (injured), the Cowboys will reportedly be missing another All-Pro performer.
According to NFL Media’s Jane Slater, left tackle Tyron Smith will miss his second consecutive game due to both a back injury and a groin strain.
A person with knowledge of the situation tells me Cowboys LT Tyron Smith will not play Sunday (groin). Byron Bell will start instead.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 16, 2017
Even more so than potentially Elliott and Lee, this is just a devastating blow. Second-year quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked eight times in last week’s 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Six of those were yielded by Smith’s replacement, Chaz Green.
Instead of going with Green again this week against an Eagles defense that ranks in the top 10 of the NFL in sacks, veteran Byron Bell will start at left tackle. Not that it will really matter too much.