At AT&T Stadium on Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys made a statement by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 43-20. And they succeeded even with a left tackle backup.
Jerry Jones, the general manager and owner of the Cowboys, should have known before the end of the game who the target of any prospective trade deadline transaction should be. That deadline is this Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT.
Tyron Smith, a regular left tackle for the Cowboys, was a late scratch on Sunday, forcing Chuma Edoga to step in. Edoga had a rough start, giving up a sack to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on the team’s opening play from the starting line. However, Edoga appeared to have a leg injury as he fell down late in the fourth quarter. It required a trolley to transport him to the dressing room.
Edoga might not lose any time as the initial symptoms are just a mild ankle sprain.
Cowboys of Dallas’ offensive line
Smith was expected to play despite having a neck injury early in the week.
Actually, up until the very last minute, we all believed Tyron was going to leave. After the victory, Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, remarked, “I think the better part of valor was probably not playing him today.”
However, right now? This week in Philadelphia, the Cowboys are not promising anything on Tyron. When everything is taken into account, isn’t O-line the “obvious” large roster requirement?
Asim Richards, a rookie, shielded quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind side until the end of the game. However, if injuries continue, that may not be the best long-term strategy for the remainder of the season—especially in a season that Dallas is hoping will culminate in a lengthy postseason run.
The Eagles, who Dallas is pursuing for the NFC East lead, provide the Cowboys with an extremely aggressive defensive front this week. The Cowboys may not be in the ideal position to protect their quarterback in what could be the biggest game of the season with a crippled Smith, Edoga, and a young Richards at left tackle.
However, Jones doesn’t appear alarmed. (Well, perhaps somewhat.)
“I’m really glad we have some decent depth. We’ve been getting deeper, added Jones. “I’m pleased with our offensive line. All players in the league are in search of starting offensive lineman. All of them. The biggest need on our squad right now, if you look at it closely, is offensive line depth. Truly. More than in any other location.Beginning somewhat deeply.
Although Jones seems OK with the offensive line’s current configuration, the issue may be more with his health than a new left tackle. The trade deadline on Tuesday and time will tell.
