Cowboys LG Tyler Smith to IR After Thumb Surgery

Cowboys lose a starting lineman up front

Dallas will be without left guard Tyler Smith for a stretch. Coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Monday that Smith needs thumb surgery and is headed to injured reserve, pulling a starter off the Cowboys' offensive line.

What it means for your survivor pick

An interior line hit is exactly the kind of thing survivor players should note before backing Dallas. Losing a starting guard can ripple into the run game and pass protection, and an IR stint means it isn't a one-week absence. That's a reason to be a little more cautious about leaning on the Cowboys — especially if you're weighing them against a cleaner, higher-margin favorite on your board. If Dallas isn't a lopsided matchup on paper, this is a nudge toward looking elsewhere and saving them for a spot where the line questions matter less.

If you're still building out your season strategy, the survivor pool FAQ is a good refresher on how to weigh injuries like this, and you can always start a free survivor pool to put the plan into action.