Cowboys OL Tyron Smith set to make season debut vs Jaguars

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyron Smith is expected to be activated from injured reserve, per reports. Smith suffered a hamstring injury just weeks before the season began and has been rehabbing ever since.

The team designated the former USC star for return from the injured reserve last Wednesday. He hasn’t played yet this season after suffering an avulsion fracture in his knee. There was speculation that he’d make his season debut last week vs. the Texans, but a full week of preparation for the Jaguars has put him in prime position for his comeback Sunday.

In related news, C Brock Hoffman has also been elevated from practice squad after it was announced that right tackle Terence Steele would miss the rest of the season.

Jerry Jones believes TY Hilton can provide immediate impact in Cowboys debut

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sees newly signed receiver TY Hilton making an immediate impact in his debut with the team Sunday. Jones was confident in his belief that the 33-year-old can step in right way, likening the situation to San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy stepping up over the past couple of weeks in place of an injured Jimmy Garoppolo.

“I think he can help now,” Jones said. “He came in really good shape and he’s got all that experience. If what’s-his-name can go to quarterback in San Francisco, Hilton can help us here.”

The Cowboys signed Hilton on Monday after they had been teasing the idea of signing free agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for months. Reports leaked from the team that OBJ wasn’t, in fact, healthy enough to significantly impact the team, although Jones said on Sunday that they were still looking at the former Giant as an option.

Hilton brings 10 seasons of NFL experience, all coming with the Indianapolis Colts. During that span, he had 9,691 receiving yards, 53 touchdowns and 631 receptions. The Miami native was a third-round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of FIU.

The signing comes as Dallas hopes to push for an NFC East title over the final month of the regular season, and they can clinch a playoff spot with a win against Jacksonville on Sunday.