Jerry Jones reveals latest timeline for DT Johnathan Hankins return

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed on Tuesday when he expects defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins back on the field. Hankins suffered a pectoral strain on Sunday in the 27-22 win over the Houston Texans.

“You could see Johnathan back for the playoffs, he won’t be back before then,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.

If Hankins does miss the rest of the regular season, the Cowboys will play the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders without one of their key defensive line pieces. The news comes at a rough time for Dallas as they pursue a potential division title while still two games behind Philly. Luckily, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has depth at the position with Neville Gallimore and Quinton Bohanna.

Dallas traded a 2023 sixth-round pick to bring in Hankins in late October and shore up their defensive line for a playoff push. Since joining the Cowboys, Hankins has averaged over 25 snaps on defense per game and has become a talented run-stopper for the defense. He has 10 tackles and a tackle for loss in his five games played

Hankins entered the league with the New York Giants as a second-round draft pick in 2013. In the last 10 seasons with the Giants, Colts and Raiders, he racked up 366 tackles, 36 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks.

Jones expecting return of All-Pro LT Tyron Smith on Sunday

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.

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.

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 for the rest of the year to a severe knee injury. Steele left Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans and had an MRI on Monday.