The Dallas Cowboys have made changes to their roster in response to the injury of Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith, who has been placed on injured reserve due to a thumb injury that necessitates surgery. Smith is projected to be out for four to six weeks, leading the team to elevate veteran interior lineman Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the active roster.
Although Leverett joins the active roster, he is not expected to assume a starting role right away. T.J. Bass is anticipated to step in as the starting left guard, bringing with him 10 career starts and a solid understanding of the team's offensive system.
Leverett entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020 from Rice University. He has prior experience with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started 10 games from 2021 to 2023, and also had brief tenures with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals in 2024, where he collaborated with Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams.
In a related move, the Cowboys have added veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad. Tomlinson, a first-round draft choice in 2015 by the Detroit Lions, boasts extensive experience, having started 162 games in his career, which includes seven games last season with the Houston Texans.
These roster adjustments are aimed at maintaining the offensive line's stability following Smith's injury as the season commences.
