Rookie starting right tackle Tyron Smith will probably be out for the Cowboys Sunday after suffering an injury in practice today.
Smith is expected to miss at least two weeks with a knee injury he suffered in practice Wednesday.
That leaves starting left tackle Doug Free and Smith’s backup, second-year undrafted free agent Jeremy Parnell, as the Cowboys try to get ready for the season opener against the New York Jets.
Dallas' offensive line was not looking so hot to begin with. Smith was one of three projected starters on the line who have one combined start. Parnell did not play a down last year according to Pro Football Focus. He has never been highly rated, and was not starting for a reason.
This is especially significant because it is on the side of the line where rookie Muhammad Wilkerson is set to line up. Wilkerson might be the biggest question mark on the defense after an uneven preseason. Any downgrade at right tackle benefits him. We already know Sione Pouha and Mike Devito on the line are going to be very difficult for Dallas to handle.