Jerry Jones calls Tyron Smith’s status for Sunday against 49ers ‘iffy’

The Dallas Cowboys could definitely stand to benefit from having their best five on the offensive line on Sunday for the first time this season against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, according to team owner and GM Jerry Jones, the prospect of that is “iffy.”

Jones told the hosts on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that the Cowboys are “well prepared” if left tackle Tyron Smith has to miss his third game in a row due to injury this weekend. In the last seven seasons, Smith has missed at least three or more games each year.

“He’s a very valuable part of this year,” Jones responded when asked whether the tackle’s injuries have overshadowed his worth in recent years.

Smith’s injury’s persistence, according to executive vice president Stephen Jones, doesn’t yet have the team considering a move to injured reserve. An IR designation would mean a mandatory four weeks off.

Although the Dallas offensive line practices with players flexing positions on a regular basis, they’re not quite to the point of moving Tyler Smith back to left tackle where he played last season after the veteran’s significant leg injury. Instead, they’re keeping the second-year player at left guard and trying out free-agent pickup Chuma Edoga at tackle, for now.

Despite his injury history, the veteran OL showed his value when Dallas needed it most in 2022. After returning from a preseason injury, Smith slotted in at right tackle for the first time in more than a decade due to the injury to Terence Steele. After the season, he underwent minor surgery on his knee to prepare to play another season.

On the bright side, right guard Zack Martin is still likely to play Sunday despite exiting the win over the Patriots early.

Cowboys restructured Smith’s contract this offseason

The Cowboys worked out a contract restructure this offseason for Smith that gave the 12th-year veteran more security.

He agreed to a very team-friendly deal that was 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.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Smith agreed to a $3 million signing bonus and a $3 million base salary that the team fully guaranteed. He could get up to $9 million more via playing time incentives and $2 million additionally as a playoff incentive. The contract restructuring clears $9.6 million in cap space for Dallas in 2023.

The former first-round draft pick out of USC signed an eight-year contract extension worth $97.6 million in 2015. He will be an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2024 season.

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