T.J. Bass replaces injured Tyler Smith at left guard for Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday that left guard Tyler Smith will miss at least four weeks after undergoing thumb surgery. T.J. Bass will step into the starting lineup to fill the vacancy. Smith opted for the procedure after determining his injury prevented him from playing at a high level. Bass previously earned playing time during training camp while rotating with the first-team offensive line to manage the workload of veterans. The Cowboys rely on Bass's prior experience as a starter, noting that he recorded zero sacks and limited pressures across several starts last season. The team continues to manage its offensive line depth as it prepares for early-season divisional games.

• 3:13 PMNBCSports.com — Brian Schottenheimer: We have "great confidence" in T.J. Bass replacing Tyler Smith - NBC Sports
• 12:36 PMYahoo Sports — Brian Schottenheimer: We have "great confidence" in T.J. Bass replacing Tyler Smith
• 11:00 AMYahoo Sports — Cowboys news: All eyes on T.J. Bass stepping in for Tyler Smith at LG