Jerry Jones announces change in Dallas Cowboys' starting lineup

The Dallas Cowboys are going to look a little different on the offensive line on Sunday. When the Cowboys take on the Kansas City Chiefs, Connor McGovern will be starting at left guard. McGovern, the 90th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Penn State, has served in a reserve role this season behind starting left guard Connor Williams.

After playing 83 offensive snaps in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McGovern played just 42 snaps from Week 2 to Week 8. He played 27 snaps last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Connor Williams is being replaced in the starting lineup, as he is the most penalized player in the NFL so far this season, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

“He has really impressed us,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said of McGovern via Machota. “I think he’ll do well. He’s earned it.”

The Cowboys hope to get Tyron Smith back next to McGovern on the line

Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith has missed the previous two weeks due to an ankle injury. Smith suffered the injury in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. Terrance Steele has filled in for Smith at left tackle after playing right tackle earlier in the season. The Cowboys are hoping that Smith will be good to return on Sunday against the Chiefs.

“If he can practice again tomorrow, that’s a good sign he will return Sunday after missing the last two games,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday.

When fully healthy, the Cowboys have one of the NFL’s most impressive offensive fronts. Smith and La’el Collins are two good offensive tackles, and Zack Martin is one of the NFL’s top interior offensive linemen. Now, McGovern will make up part of the Cowboys offensive line.

Dallas bounced back with a 43-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last week after falling 30-16 to the Denver Broncos the prior week. The Cowboys are 7-2 on the season, holding a strong lead in the division over the 4-6 Philadelphia Eagles.