It’s looking like the Dallas Cowboys will be getting a pair of veterans back from injury just in time for the playoff push.
Fans felt unsatisfied with the Cowboys lack of additions at the trade deadline. The only move Dallas made was sending a 2023 6th round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for DT Johnathan Hankins and a 2024 7th round pick.
But it’s likely Jerry Jones and the front office expected Tyron Smith and James Washington to return from injury. Had the Cowboys added more players at the deadline and gotten Smith and Washington back, it would make for some tough personnel decisions to keep the roster at 53 players.
Tyron Smith expected to practice in December
Smith hasn’t participated in a Cowboys practice since tearing his hamstring in late August. But in the last week, the two-time All-Pro has been spotted working on the side with Cowboys director of rehabilitation Britt Brown.
According to ESPN, Dallas plans to open Smith’s 21-day practice window after this Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. During that time, the team will have to elevate Smith to the 53-man roster and release a player that’s currently active.
Rookie Tyler Smith has filled in nicely for Tyron. Dallas’ plan for Tyler was to start his career at LG to get some experience under his belt before kicking out to LT; the position he played at Tulsa.
So Tyler spent all of preseason working at LG, and only had about two weeks to transition to LT before Week 1. Many assumed Tyler would struggle filling in for Tyron, but he’s proven a lot of people wrong.
Now, the Cowboys line is set to get even better once Tyron returns to LT and Tyler moves back to LG.
James Washington returns to practice
The veteran WR fractured his foot during Dallas’ first practice session with pads on in early August. The injury required surgery and Washington’s timeline to return was 6-10 weeks.
It’s obviously taken Washington a bit longer to come back as he just returned to practice yesterday. The Cowboys waived DE Tarell Basham to clear a spot for Washinton on the 53-man roster. Given the roster move, we could see Washington on the gameday roster in the next few weeks.
Washington spent the last four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected the WR out of Oklahoma State in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Washington has averaged 28 catches, 407 yards and just over two touchdowns a season. He was the first free agent Dallas signed in the offseason, so the team clearly sees a role for him in the offense.
