Tyler Smith thumb surgery: Cowboys LG out minimum four games

Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith underwent thumb surgery and has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him a minimum of four games.

Smith is not a fantasy-relevant player himself in standard formats, but his presence on the offensive line affects the entire Cowboys offense. He protects the blindside of the Cowboys backfield and passing game, so his absence matters for anyone rostering Dallas skill players.

What this means for Cowboys fantasy assets

Running backs and pass-catchers operating behind a weakened left side could see a dip in efficiency during Smith's absence. The injured reserve placement removes him from the equation for at least the opening stretch of the regular season.

Dallas signed guard Nick Leverett to the active roster and veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad to address depth at the position. Keep an eye on practice reports and the Cowboys depth chart to see how they manage the replacement rotation.