NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 29: Tyron Smith #77 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The Cowboys are still waiting to get the all clear on Tyron Smith
Smith’s absence has created a hole on Dallas’ usually-reliable offensive line. He’s now expected to miss a second straight week with a neck injury.
“Smith’s medical situation is a concern, something the Cowboys believe they’ll have to manage carefully over a prolonged period,” Todd Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported Saturday. “Trotting him out now, after he hasn’t practiced since suffered the injury during individual drills on Sept. 17, may not compute.”
Backup Brandon Knight filled in admirably last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Dallas managed 40 points and an improbable comeback win over Atlanta. The Cowboys will be counting on Knight once again to fill in for Smith against the Seattle Seahawks. Smith is a seven-time Pro Bowler for a reason, but Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott have hardly seen a drop in production so far.
Without Smith, the Cowboys are clearly underdogs on Sunday
Dallas heading to Seattle makes their win over the Falcons last week all the more vital. Facing a 1-2 record after three weeks is far better than a winless effort.
The Cowboys have Super Bowl aspirations, as they do every year, but they’re not playing at the level of the Seahawks early this season. Barring a sudden change of pace, Dallas could be playing from behind early and often come Sunday.
But as we saw last week when this Seahawks defense gave up over 300 yards passing to Cam Newton, there’s room for improvement in their secondary. Prescott should be able to take advantage of that, assuming he has the necessary time to throw without one of the best linemen in the game.