The Dallas Cowboys might be heading into their Week 16 battle against the Seattle Seahawks without star left tackle Tyron Smith.
Smith suffered a knee injury Sunday night against the Oakland Raiders. After limping off the field in the second half, he did not return to the game. Jerry Jones shared some encouraging news after the team got X-rays and MRI results on the knee but noted Smith could still potentially miss the upcoming game.
“We’re rewarded that the MRI and the X-rays didn’t show as severe damage as it certainly might have,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, per the team’s website. “He’ll be looking forward trying to get back. He knows we’re down to these last two ball games. So we’ll be taking a look at it.”
Smith is one of the best left tackles in the NFL. He’s key to Dallas’ success on offense, both as Dak Prescott’s blind-side protector and as a people-mover on the edge of the team’s rushing attack.
A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-team All-Pro, Smith has struggled with injuries somewhat the past couple of years. A back injury plagued him last year and has also been a factor this season, and he missed two games with a groin injury this year as well.
Dallas has Ezekiel Elliott coming back this week, and Seattle just gave up four touchdowns to Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley in Week 15.
The Cowboys need to win to stay in the playoff hunt in the ultra-competitive NFC. They will also need a little help to get in (more on all that here), so obviously they need every able-bodied man playing against Seattle this week. Given his history of trying to play through pain, we’d be surprised if Smith didn’t at least try to play Sunday.