Cowboys guard Tyler Smith shares progress update on hamstring injury

The Dallas Cowboys are facing a second week of regular season action without starting left guard Tyler Smith. The former first-round draft pick out of Tulsa suffered a hamstring injury ahead of Week 1 that kept him out of the 40-0 blowout of the New York Giants.

On the Cowboys’ injury report on Thursday, Smith was out due to the injury, however, he provided an update that indicates he’s moving rapidly toward 100% health. He practiced with the rehab group, which included starting wide receiver Brandin Cooks on Thursday, which suggests that despite his progress, he’ll be on the sideline again against the New York Jets.

“I’m sprinting a lot more,” Smith told reporters, via Michael Gehlken. “… Things are moving along really well. … Obviously, I’m trying to get back as quick as possible but be smart at the same time. It is a long season. Our hopes and dreams extend all the way into February.”

Smith, who never suffered a major injury in college at Tulsa, spent the team’s Week 1 win in New York on the sideline. The second-year lineman described the unique experience of watching from the wings.

“It was lit,” Smith said. “It was a dominant performance. I can’t say that enough. I was exhilarated, just being out there, being able to support the guys. But I definitely want to be part of that.”

Cowboys slot Edoga in for Smith at LG

Filling in for the injured starter was flex tackle Chuma Edoga on Sunday night. Edoga was a free-agent pickup for the Cowboys this offseason. They’ll call his number again this Sunday if Smith can’t go.

Edoga was in and out of the lineup for the New York Jets over the course of his first three years in the league. He appeared in 23 games during that span. After the Jets released him, the Atlanta Falcons picked him up. He appeared in two games for the team in 2022.

Edoga played left guard for Atlanta before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Dallas reportedly looked at signing him last offseason when Tyron Smith suffered a preseason injury. Instead, he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys out of free agency.

Edoga is a former third-round pick out of USC. The New York Jets snagged him in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Starting right guard Zack Martin was also on the Cowboys’ injury report on Thursday, however, he still practiced in limited fashion. His participation suggests that he’ll be ready to go for Sunday afternoon at home in AT&T Stadium against the Jets.