Report: Torn ACL for Terence Steele to end his season with Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly lost starting offensive tackle Terence Steele to a torn ACL. Steele left Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans and had an MRI on Monday.

According to a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Steele suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the season. Todd Archer of ESPN NFL Nation reported that Steele also suffered an MCL tear, according to a source.

The good news is the injury seems relatively straightforward.

Sources: #Cowboys OT Terence Steele tore his ACL and is out for the season. He was one of the team’s best linemen and is a big part of their future. A normal tear and should be good to go for camp next season.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2022

Following Steele’s injury on Saturday, Jason Peters took over at right tackle. He’ll presumably be involved going forward, though Rapoport notes the Cowboys should get tackle Tyron Smith back soon from the injured reserve.

Smith was placed on the injured reserve in late August, having suffered an avulsion fracture. The hope at the time was that he might be able to return for the final month of the season.

Tyron Smith nearing return to play for Cowboys

Rapoport added to his report on Steele that Smith “progressed well enough last week that playing this week is very possible.”

After activating Smith from IR, the Cowboys have a 21-day window to put him back on the active roster. The All-Pro left tackle hasn’t played a game yet this season. Coach Mike McCarthy has previously described Smith’s progress and movement as “excellent,” however, the timing didn’t line up for a season debut versus the Texans.

Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones teased Smith’s return to the practice field after the win against the Colts last Sunday

“He had a good week this week,” Jones said. “I can’t think of any single thing that could help a football team more than to have Tyron Smith come in healthy at left tackle. I really can’t. So right there is the biggest lift that you could draw up for the Dallas Cowboys without exception. We’ve got that.

“We’re in relatively great shape at 9-3, and we’ve got a potentially healthy Tyron Smith. That will add to the entire group of offensive linemen and give us not only flex but give us strength down through there.”

Rookie offensive lineman Tyler Smith has played in place of the veteran for the first 13 games of the season and could help fill in at right tackle should Dallas shift the starting five around.

This week, Dallas heads to Jacksonville to face the 5-8 Jaguars. The Jags came up with a big win on the road versus Tennessee on Sunday, 36-22.