The Dallas Cowboys have placed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson on their practice squad just before the start of the 2026 NFL campaign. This roster move addresses the absence of Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who will begin the year on injured reserve.
Tomlinson brings extensive experience to the team, having started 162 of his 173 career games across stints with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 while playing for the 49ers.
Most recently, he started all 17 games for the Seahawks in 2024 under head coach Mike Macdonald.
After spending last season with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, Tomlinson had not been on an NFL roster since January 2025. His return provides immediate depth as Dallas prepares to face the New York Giants in four days.
While it remains uncertain if he will be promoted to the active roster for Week 1, modern practice squad rules allow him to participate on game days.
