The Dallas Cowboys have made significant roster changes after Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith was placed on injured reserve due to a thumb injury that requires surgery. Smith is expected to be out for four to six weeks, leading the Cowboys to elevate Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the active roster.
Although Leverett will join the active roster, he is not expected to start immediately. Instead, T.J. Bass is likely to step in as the starting left guard, bringing 10 career starts and familiarity with the team's offensive system.
Leverett, who began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent from Rice University in 2020, has experience with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started 10 games from 2021 to 2023. He also had brief tenures with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals in 2024, where he collaborated with Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams.
In addition, the Cowboys have added veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad. Tomlinson, a first-round draft pick in 2015 by the Detroit Lions, has extensive experience, having started 162 games in his career, including seven games last year with the Houston Texans.
These roster adjustments reflect the Cowboys' commitment to maintaining a strong offensive line as the season progresses, especially in light of Smith's injury.
