Mike McCarthy updates status of injured LT Tyron Smith

Tyron Smith could be on his way back for the Dallas Cowboys. According to Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, the left tackle is trending in the right direction for a return to action.

“Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (ankle) will be limited today. He’s expected to do individual drills,” tweeted The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “If he can practice again tomorrow, that’s a good sign he will return Sunday after missing the last two games.”

Smith has been out for the past two weeks after leaving the Week 9 matchup against Minnesota with a sprained ankle. Terrance Steele, who had been the starting right tackle in place of the suspended La’el Collins, has been getting snaps at left tackle. Results were not been kind, with quarterback Dak Prescott getting pressured more than usual.

If Smith does return, Dallas will have one of the strongest offensive lines in the NFL. Smith and Collins back at the two tackle spots with Zack Martin at right guard will give Prescott more than enough time to make plays.

There was hope Smith could play on Sunday against the Falcons. However, after not practicing on Thursday, he was ruled out. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Smith was “making progress” but was not going to be ready to play.

On the positive side of the spectrum, Smith’s injury was not one that required surgery according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. It would have been the second season in a row the left tackle had missed an extended period of time.

Jerry Jones worried about hits on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys can go as far as Dak Prescott takes them. However, the former Mississippi State star has dealt with his fair share of injuries over the last two seasons.

Last year, Prescott suffered a gruesome leg injury that forced him to miss the majority of the season. Before this season even began, Prescott was dealing with shoulder issues in addition to working his leg back into shape. A few weeks ago, Prescott was forced out of action due to another injury.

The injuries for Prescott worry Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. With the absence of Smith, the Cowboys quarterback has been taking a beating behind a suspect offensive line. Dallas may have a commanding lead in the NFC East, but things could look very different if Prescott went down with more injuries.

Jerry Jones admits that he sometimes worries about Prescott taking hits. Due to the recent bad luck with injuries for Prescott, Jones just wants to make sure his quarterback is able to be there at the end of the season.

“I worry about it. We got to realize that at the end of the year what this is about is being standing,” Jones said via Around the NFL’s Chase Goodbread. “Warren Buffett one time said the hardest thing about accumulating wealth is to be there to spend it.”

Luckily for Jones and Prescott, Tyron Smith’s return should mean better protection and less wear and tear for the quarterback.