Mike McCarthy reveals first-rounder Mazi Smith underwent shoulder surgery

The Dallas Cowboys have found a lot of success with their first-rounders in recent years, but it wasn’t the case in year one with defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The former Michigan star was a rotational piece for Dallas and finished the 2023 season with 13 tackles in 17 games. He recorded his first sack in a December loss to the Bills but it was still an underwhelming start to Smith’s career with the Cowboys.

Discussing Smith and his growth in Year 2 on Tuesday from the annual league meetings in Orlando, head coach Mike McCarthy revealed that the defensive tackle had to undergo surgery this offseason on his shoulder. The timeline for his recovery puts him back on the field by training camp.

On top of a previously unknown shoulder injury, the former Wolverine also dealt with unexpected weight loss during the season. That Cowboys have a plan to pack the pounds back on his 6-foot-3 frame before the 2024 season, which, according to McCarthy, will give him “a lot more opportunities.”

“He’ll have a better plan, and we’ll help him with that plan,” McCarthy said, via Michael Gehlken.

The Cowboys’ second-round selection, tight end Luke Schoonmaker also underwent offseason shoulder surgery. Schoonmaker is also a Michigan alum.

Despite limited production and usage in his rookie season, Smith received credit from his coaches and teammates for his progress. Former Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde, now the Seahawks’ new defensive coordinator, told reporters he saw growth weekly from the young DT.

“You can see week in [and] week out, he’s making marginal gains, and that’s what it’s about,” Durde said mid-season. “He’s around a good group of players, he’s in a position where he can grow and he’s in the right place. He’s doing good.”

Micah Parsons ‘super excited’ to see Mazi Smith dominate

The Cowboys have one of the NFL’s best pass rushes, in large part because of Micah Parsons on the edge. His skill set is going to continue opening up opportunities for players like Mazi Smith to thrive. That’s something that Parsons is excited to see happen for Smith.

“I think Mazi is coming along great,” Parsons said this season. “I think mid-season, late in the season, we got a chance to see Mazi be dominant. I’m super excited for him. I can’t wait to see that.”

Dallas could really use a breakout season by Smith in 2024, especially after letting multiple defensive linemen walk in free agency in the last month. Off the roster are Neville Gallimore, Johnathan Hankins, Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong. The Cowboys snagged Smith with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft last April and could be looking at another DT to draft high this year.