Tyron Smith 'comfortable' once again back at left tackle for Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys former All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith is finally back at the position he’s played for most of his career. Coming in for the injured right tackle Terence Steele last season after recovering from his own severe injury, Smith played admirably, but now, he’s back at left tackle in training camp.

Talking to reporters in Oxnard this week, the 12th-year veteran described how it feels to be anchoring the line from Dak Prescott‘s blindside.

“I’m back [to being] comfortable,” Smith said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I’ve been playing left for a long time. I’m just back to my normal spot, and I’m knocking the rust off right now.”

Despite being one of the Cowboys’ most tenured and highest-paid players, he’s missed significant time due to injuries over the last seven years. He’s missed 45 games with various injuries to his ankle, neck, back, knee, elbow and hamstring.

The veteran agreed to a very team-friendly deal that is laden with incentives. Originally, the former All-Pro left tackle had a $17.6 million cap hit coming for the 2023 season for his $13.6 million salary. Now, Smith has the opportunity to make even more money – but only if he plays a lot.

“I’m concentrating on the small things and getting the work I need, and getting the work after practice to stay on track and stay healthy on the field,” Smith said.

Cowboys forge on without Zack Martin

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is missing a key veteran as right guard Zack Martin continues holding out of training camp amid a contract dispute.

Despite the inconvenience it poses for the cohesion of the offense, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters last week that he understands Martin’s need to make whatever move is best for him business-wise.

“My father always told me, and I think it’s true, you never talk about another man’s money, and most importantly, never talk about your own,” McCarthy said, via Jon Machota. “It’s business, and Zack needs to focus on that. We all respect that. We don’t feel any differently about him. He’s always going to be a leader of our football team. But this is a business situation.”

Though McCarthy neglected to share the name of the man stepping into right guard for Martin, he did note that the OL is proceeding with how it finished offseason activities.

With Tyron Smith fully healthy, Tyler Smith has moved to left guard, taking the place of Connor McGovern who departed for the Texans in free agency. Almost fully healthy, Terence Steele is back at right tackle with Tyler Biadasz at center.

Reporters confirmed at practice that former Marshall tackle Josh Ball is stepping up at right guard. Ball was a fourth-round pick for Dallas in 2021.

New Cowboys lineman Chuma Edoga is fresh off of one season with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s also capable of playing tackle and guard for the Cowboys, opening up even more options for the oft-injured position group.

Another option is Matt Farniok, who is currently a backup for center Biadasz.