Jerry Jones expecting return of All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith versus Jaguars

The Dallas Cowboys will be without right tackle Terence Steele for the rest of the season but on the bright side, left tackle Tyron Smith could be back on the field this Sunday.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones revealed on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that he expects the former All-Pro to suit up when the Cowboys kickoff versus the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

“As I see it right now, he’ll be playing Sunday,” Jones said, via Jon Machota.

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.

Although there was a chance for him to debut for the season versus the Texans, a full week of preparation for the Jaguars puts him in a better position this Sunday.

Cowboys lose Steele, gain Smith

“He had a good week this week,” Jones said prior to Smith’s return from IR. “I can’t think of any single thing that could help a football team more than to have Tyron Smith come in healthy at left tackle. I really can’t. So right there is the biggest lift that you could draw up for the Dallas Cowboys without exception. We’ve got that.”

Without Smith in the lineup on Sunday, Dallas struggled versus the Houston Texans. Ultimately, they needed a game-winning scoring drive to put the worst team in the NFL away.

This weekend, the Cowboys face the Jaguars who are coming off a 36-22 win over the Tennessee Titans.

The Cowboys learned Monday that they are losing starting tight tackle Terence Steele to a severe knee injury. Steele left Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans and had an MRI on Monday.

According to a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Steele suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the season. Todd Archer of ESPN NFL Nation reported that Steele also suffered an MCL tear.

Following Steele’s injury on Sunday, Jason Peters and Josh Ball took reps at right tackle.