Cowboys guard Tyler Smith to undergo thumb surgery and miss four games

Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith is scheduled for surgery on his left thumb Tuesday, a move that will force him to miss at least four games. The team attempted to evaluate Smith's ability to play through the injury following the conclusion of training camp in Oxnard, California, but those efforts failed to produce a viable solution for protecting the digit. By placing Smith on injured reserve, the Cowboys will be without his services for contests against the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans. Coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the expected recovery timeline is four to six weeks. In his absence, T.J. Bass is slated to take over starting duties at left guard. Bass, a restricted free agent who received a second-round tender from the team this offseason, has previously logged 10 starts over the last three seasons.

• 1:28 PMYahoo Sports — Dallas Cowboys insider explains why Tyler Smith surgery was delayed