FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer on Monday provided a candid and detailed explanation for why All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith is set to undergo thumb surgery, officially sidelining the 25-year-old for four to six weeks just days before the season opener.
Schottenheimer emphasized that Smith’s toughness was never in question, but the nature of the injury ultimately left the team with no choice. “He’s such a tough guy. I can’t say enough about Tyler, I mean just the toughness,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “But at the end of the day, we can’t pinpoint when it happened. It’s just one of those deals that at the end of the day made the decision that we all did that the best thing is to get in front of this thing and it’s a long season so let’s go get it fixed.”
The head coach acknowledged that the Cowboys explored every possible alternative before arriving at surgery. “At the end of the day, you always see if you can kinda play through these things. He’s done things like that, like a lot of guys have, they’ve been able to play through them,” Schottenheimer said. “Unfortunately, when you’re an offensive lineman, grip strength and things like that are really important.”
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer when asked if Tyler Smith's injury had been bothering him through training camp and if there was any thought of not waiting until now and getting the procedure done sooner:
"It's over time. He's such a tough guy, I can't say enough about… https://t.co/ZyUesDOhdf— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) September 7, 2026 What's New
Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Smith’s recovery timeline, noting the player’s track record. “Again, we know he’s a quick healer, and we want to get it fixed, and he’ll be back before too long.”
Tyler Smith set to miss 4 to 6 weeks
Further evaluation confirmed that Smith is dealing with a ligament tear in his left thumb, not a fracture as some had initially speculated.
The Cowboys spent several days exploring non-surgical management options, including specialized taping and protective padding, hoping Smith could manage the pain and play through the discomfort.
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However, after testing his grip strength and pass blocking functionality in practice settings, the medical staff determined those measures would not hold up against the demands of an NFL regular season.
The team cannot pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred, suggesting it may have developed gradually over time rather than resulting from a single traumatic event.
Smith had been managing the issue throughout training camp, but the ligament damage never stabilized. The decision to proceed with surgery was made collectively by Smith, the coaching staff, and the medical team. The procedure is scheduled for Tuesday.
Smith will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. The Cowboys open Sunday night against the New York Giants, followed by matchups against the Commanders, Ravens, Texans, Buccaneers, and Packers over the first six weeks.
Dallas is banking on Smith’s reputation as a quick healer to shorten the recovery window while T.J. Bass steps into the starting left guard role in his absence.
