Tyron Smith injury update: Cowboys tackle not expected to play vs. Chiefs

After a week of mystery surrounding the availability of left tackle Tyron Smith for the Dallas Cowboys, Ian Rapoport has word that he will not be expected to take the field at Arrowhead Stadium when the team faces the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday for their scheduled Week 11 contest.

This will be the third consecutive game that Smith has missed on the left side for the Cowboys due to a bone spur in his ankle that limited him during the team’s win over the Minnesota Vikings in late October. Since then, Smith has missed the team’s lopsided win over the Atlanta Falcons and an embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos.

Without Smith, Dallas’ offense still looks solid and put up 40+ points on the Falcons a week ago. It helps to have La’El Collins and Ty Nsekhe waiting in the wings as solid depth.

The Cowboys have decided to play it safe with Tyron Smith vs. the Chiefs.

Per Rapoport, the team’s plan to go forward without Smith this week is part of a long-term plan that’s more about the team’s upcoming schedule than anything else. The Cowboys play the Chiefs on Sunday and then face the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. Then instead of getting a prolonged rest, the league scheduled the Cowboys for another game on Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints the following week.

Smith did return to practice this week for the first time since his absence but was limited in all practice sessions as the week went on—hence the mystery of whether or not he would play.

As for the Chiefs, Smith is a seven-time Pro Bowl performer, so his absence is a step down even if the Cowboys have solid substitutes. The Chiefs have a similar issue at right tackle, so it will be interesting to see how the opposing pass rush plans include attempts to take advantage of personnel issues up front.