Although injuries to skill players tend to get highlighted in modern football due to the fantasy football implications, injuries on the line can affect a team more than any one running back or wide receiver. It touches every element in the game.
With that in mind, the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some adjusting to do due to injuries across their respective lines. While the standout is to anchors — Tyron Smith and Ryan Jensen — on IR, both teams have some issues that go beyond them.
Dak Prescott and Tom Brady are two of the most high-profile quarterback in the NFL, so protecting them is of the utmost importance. It’s going to be on some relatively green players to do so.
Here’s what to know about the offensive line injuries in this Sunday Night Football matchup.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive line injuries
LT Tyron Smith
The marquee player injured is also dealing with the most serious injury. Tyron Smith tore his hamstring at the end of August and hit IR on Aug. 31. Smith suffered an avulsion fracture of his knee, meaning the hamstring tendon tore off the bone.
The most optimistic timetable for Smith’s return is December, but it could be a season-ending injury. He’s replaced by Tyler Smith in the lineup, which brings us to….
LT Tyler Smith
First-round pick Tyler Smith is slated to make his debut against the Buccaneers. The Cowboys have an excellent track record with first-round picks, with Tyron Smith and Zack Martin topping the list of hits. Tyler Smith, a Tulsa standout, has big shoes to fill.
For the sake of completeness, Smith has been battling an ankle injury, but he managed to stay off the injury report earlier in the week and was a full participant in practice. He should be a go. Jason Peters, for his part, is still on the practice squad for the Cowboys. He’ll be behind “break in case of emergency” glass to start the season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line injuries
C Ryan Jensen
A key cog in the Buccaneers offense, Tampa Bay suffered a big blow when Ryan Jensen suffered a knee injury in March. Jensen was subsequently placed on IR Sep. 1.
Jensen, like Smith, could miss the entire season with his injury, with November or December being listed as hopeful timelines for return. The star center will be overtaken by second-year center Robert Hainsey.
C Robert Hainsey
Sensing a theme? Much like the Smith-Smith connection above, Hainsey is also battling injury. However, also like Smith, Hainsey should be good to suit up Sunday.
Hainsey left an August practice early with cramps, but has since gotten back to practicing regularly. He should be a full go for the Buccaneers.
RT Tristan Wirfs
Things are looking ever-so-slightly less optimistic for star tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has been a standout since being drafted in 2020.
The former Iowa star was limited in practice on the first injury report Wednesday, which does cast his Sunday status into question a bit. Wirfs has been affected by an abdominal injury. The Buccaneers, for their part, don’t seem concerned by Wirfs and appear to think he’ll be good to go.
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