Tyron Smith had a "real shot" at returning from injury in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he was instead ruled out just ahead of kickoff. This was because the Dallas Cowboys took every variable into account, and a rather hefty one was the fact he would've then been asked to play two games in four days after having not fully ramped up in practice just yet, and after missing the previous two games due to a re-aggravated high ankle sprain -- sources confirmed to CBS Sports -- and not the bone spur described by owner Jerry Jones.
Smith was most certainly missed on Sunday, as the Chiefs went on to hit Dak Prescott a total of eight times en route to sacking him on five different occasions. No touchdowns were scored by the Cowboys in the 19-9 loss at Arrowhead Stadium, but as they return home to AT&T Stadium for Thanksgiving, the expectation is that Smith will return to his post for a game that has suddenly become very important for Dallas momentum going forward.
"We get Tyron [Smith] back this week," team exec Stephen Jones told 105.3FM the Fan on Monday. "... Feel really good about him playing this week and it's just a decision that we have to make, and it is a long year, and certainly we miss him. Be great to get him back."
Jones went on to explain the team's mindset in sitting Smith against the Chiefs, despite allowing him to go through his normal pregame ritual with no issues. He also noted the Cowboys don't view Smith's injury as one that will nag him the remainder of the season.
"Certainly we got to do everything we think is in our best interest for the entirety of the season," Jones said. "And I don't think this is anything we're going to have to manage, not unlike Dak [Prescott] -- same as Dak. We just feel like once he's ready to roll, he'll be ready to go. [We] reel like he's ready.
"Barring some unforeseen setback this week, he should be ready to play this week."
Smith exited the victory over the Minnesota Vikings and has been recovering since, the initial thought being a Week 7 bye would help his campaign of having not missed any games to that point. Having now missed two in a row, the streak will presumably stop there, and that will see swing tackle Terence Steele return to backup duty while La'el Collins remains starter at right tackle. In the absence of Collins, Steele played well on the right edge, but the same can't be said for him once he was flipped to the opposite side.
The continued availability of Smith is paramount to the success of Prescott and the Cowboys offense -- often a shell of themselves when the perennial All-Pro isn't on the field. So, like Jones said, they couldn't be more thrilled to have him back to try and stop a good Raiders pass rush from attempting to baste Prescott like a turkey on Thanksgiving.
