Mike McCarthy shares updates on injured Cowboys Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Donovan Wilson
The Dallas Cowboys will have some important decisions to make after their practice on Saturday regarding three injured players.
According to head coach Mike McCarthy, injured offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Tyler Smith could practice on Saturday after participating in team walkthroughs on Friday. The team is also monitoring safety Donovan Wilson for a possible return.
“We’re making progress,” McCarthy said of the trio.
The plan is for all three to practice in limited fashion on Saturday. If they can do that, then they could play on Sunday against the Giants. In Wilson’s case, McCarthy told reporters he’d be on a snap count.
As for the Smiths on the left side of the Cowboys offensive line, if they don’t look ready to go on Saturday, then they’ll sit out Sunday.
An MRI confirmed early this week that Tyler Smith, the 2022 first-round draft pick out of Tulsa, suffered a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, Tyron Smith, the veteran former All-Pro, ended up on the practice report late in the week with an ankle injury. The elder Smith spent the majority of the 2022 season on the sideline due to a torn hamstring and avulsion fracture.
In the case that the injured linemen can’t go, free agent pickup Chuma Edoga would fill in for Tyron Smith at left tackle while rookie Asim Richards slots in for Tyler Smith at left guard.
The Cowboys kickoff against the Giants at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Meadowlands.
Wilson ‘close’ to return
Suffering a calf strain on Day 1 of training camp this offseason, Wilson had a four-to-six-week recovery timeline. He’s completing workouts but the fact that he hasn’t begun practicing full-go with the team suggests he’s out for Sunday versus the Giants.
Dan Quinn’s defense would be without one of its leading tacklers and leaders if Wilson can’t play in Week 1. Without him, the Cowboys would rely on Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu, as well as Markquese Bell, to pick up the slack opposite Jayron Kearse.
He led the team in tackles in 2022 with 101, a career-high for the Cowboys safety. He also had five sacks, two forced fumbles, a recovery and one interception. During Dallas’s postseason run, Wilson had an additional 20 tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Wilson signed a three-year deal worth up to $24 million before he was due to hit the free agent market this offseason.