The Dallas Cowboys have taken steps to adjust their roster after Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith was placed on the injured reserve list due to a thumb injury requiring surgery. Smith is projected to be out for four to six weeks, leading to the promotion of veteran interior lineman Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the active roster.
T.J. Bass is expected to step in as the starting left guard, bringing experience with 10 career starts and knowledge of the team's offensive scheme.
Leverett, who joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Rice University in 2020, has previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, starting 10 games from 2021 to 2023, and has also been with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.
In addition to Leverett's promotion, the Cowboys signed veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad. A former first-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2015, Tomlinson has started 162 games in his career, including seven games last season with the Houston Texans. These roster changes reflect the Cowboys' effort to maintain stability on their offensive line as the season progresses.
