Any hope that Dallas Cowboys All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith will be able to take to the field in a must win for the team this week against the Seattle Seahawks can now pretty much be thrown out the window.
Smith exited last week’s win over Oakland with a knee injury and didn’t return to the game. Now comes this report from ESPN’s Todd Archer noting that the four-time Pro Bowler suffered a sprained LCL to his knee.
“Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith has a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his knee,” Archer reported. “He is not expected to practice today but he has not practiced on a Wednesday in weeks because of back, hip and groin injuries. It’s questionable he will be available Sunday against Seattle.”
Archer is being somewhat liberal with the stance that Smith is questionable. Injuries of this ilk tend to keep players out 4-6 weeks. Even with the 8-6 Cowboys facing a must-win situation in Week 16, it’s hard to imagine him being able to go Sunday.
Dallas needs to win out and see Atlanta loses its final two games with the Lions losing one of two in order to make the playoffs. If Smith is unable to go, veteran Byron Bell will be called on to protect Dak Prescott’s blindside in Week 16.