Tyler Smith exits Lions-Cowboys Saturday Night Football matchup with left foot injury

Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith suffered an injury to his left foot late in the third quarter of Saturday Night Football vs. the Detroit Lions. The playoffs are only a few weeks away and Smith is a massive piece of their offensive line. He was briefly down on the field, grabbing his left foot.

He eventually walked to the sideline on his own power and went into the medical tent, per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. Early in the fourth quarter, Smith was ruled as questionable to return to the game, according to multiple reports.

The Cowboys won in a wild and frenetic finish, 20-19. The game was nationally televised on ESPN.

Cowboys owner told Jimmy Johnson how much he inspired him

At halftime, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took the microphone and directly addressed Johnson.

“How many times have I looked at you and you inspired me,” he said. ”Jimmy I want you to know, not only did you inspire your players and certainly you inspired the fans. But you need to hear me say how you personally inspired me.”

He then proclaimed, “for now and forever more, Jimmy Johnson is going to be here, and rightfully so, welcome to the Ring of Honor.”

Johnson told the crowd: “people have asked what this means to me. I’m so very, very proud. Proud of what we accomplished. When I say we, I mean a lot of people.”

He continued: “Thank you, Jerry Jones, for bringing me to the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry and I worked shoulder to shoulder. We took a team that was worst in the NFL. And in a short time, we won Super Bowls and became the team of the 90s. I want to thank some outstanding assistant coaches and some great players.”

Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989. He fired Landry and brought in Johnson, who then was the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. After going 1-15 in the first season, Johnson helped mold the Cowboys into one of the best teams in the NFL. He won Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993, then left Dallas. It took decades for Jones to forgive him.

Johnson is the 24th person inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor and only the second head coach. Tom Landry, the first-ever Dallas coach, was the first. Johnson’s name now is across the stadium from Landry’s spot. Jones selected Landry for the Ring of Honor in 1993. Landry died in 2000.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton also contributed to this article.