Mike McCarthy praises Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith following Week 9 performances

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line struggled as a unit on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles but on the left side of the line, it looked as though someone had turned back the clocks. Veteran left tackle Tyron Smith, who hadn’t practiced in the week leading up to the game due to a neck stinger, fended off rushers as though he was back in his All-Pro form of six years ago.

“That’s the Tyron Smith I remember,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters this week. “That’s the best game I’ve seen Tyron play since I’ve been here in my time here in Dallas.”

The oft-injured lineman’s performance looked even better in contrast to what was going on on the right side of the line. Right tackle Terence Steele received credit for four sacks out of five on Dak Prescott on Sunday. Smith, along with second-year left guard Tyler Smith, looked as in sync as they have all season against the Eagles.

“(They) had the best performance since I’ve been here,” McCarthy said. “Those two guys, it would be great if they played a lot of football together.”

It’s unclear how much longer the veteran left tackle will play with Dallas, or in general, after this season. Smith, who turns 32 in early December, restructured his deal to add two void years, which means his contract with the Cowboys runs out in March.

#Cowboys Tyron Smith Returns to 'Elite' Status After No Practice All Week… pic.twitter.com/g55EFsrWMJ

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Mike McCarthy revealed on Wednesday that the team could potentially rest Smith during the week through the rest of the season after it worked out well for them in Week 9. If he can keep it up on gamedays, it bodes well for both Dallas and his future with the team.

Cowboys defend Terence Steele after rough outing vs Eagles

Terence Steele, still relatively fresh off of a severe knee injury that abruptly ended his 2022 season, allowed 12 pressures with four sacks on QB Dak Prescott on Sunday, according to ProFootballFocus.

Mike McCarthy opted to play Steele on 100% of the offensive snaps, despite the fourth-year lineman’s struggles. Though McCarthy said Steele wouldn’t use his injury as an excuse, the skipper acknowledged the reality of the situation.

“Like anything, anytime anyone has a major joint injury, that first year back, it’s a challenge,” McCarthy said, via Michael Gehlken. “There are things he has to continue to work through because of the injury…But yes, it wasn’t his best game…

“He is definitely still fighting back a little bit from the injury.”

The former undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech allowed just one sack last season, according to PFF. Steele’s next opportunity to show improvement comes quickly with a matchup against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. The Cowboys and Giants have a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.