Cowboys guard Tyler Smith will miss at least a month with thumb injury that needs surgery

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith will miss at least the first month of the season because of a left thumb injury that needs surgery.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday the three-time Pro Bowler would go on injured reserve, which means he would have to miss at least four games. Smith could be out up to six weeks after surgery that is scheduled for Tuesday, Schottenheimer said.

Smith dealt with ligament damage in his thumb during training camp and continued to practice through last week. He wasn't on the field for practice to start the week leading into the season opener at the New York Giants on Sunday night.

“We can't pinpoint when it happened,” Schottenheimer said. “We made the decision that the best thing is to get in front of this. It's a long season, so let's get this fixed.”

Smith has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three years at left guard. He played left tackle as a rookie first-round pick in 2022 after longtime starter Tyron Smith was injured in training camp and missed most of the season.

T.J. Bass, a fourth-year player with 10 career starts, will fill in for Smith. The Cowboys re-signed Bass as a restricted free agent on a $5.8 million, one-year contract.

Schottenheimer said the timing of Smith's surgery was based on seeing if he could play with the injury.

“When you're an offensive lineman, grip strength and things like that are really important,” Schottenheimer said. “We know he's a quick healer.”

Smith would be eligible to return in Week 5 against Tampa Bay, but that's a short week with a Thursday night game. A more likely season debut would be Oct. 18 at Green Bay.

The injury to Smith is a complication for an offensive line that has been dealing with questions this summer.

There is an open competition at right tackle between Terence Steele, a four-year starter at that position, and Broderick Jones, who was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh on Aug. 29.

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FILE - Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith stands on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Aug. 15, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Plate umpire Chris Guccione left Monday's game between the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians after being hit on the mask by a foul tip in the top of the second inning.

Guccione, who was also the crew chief, was hit by Angel Martínez's foul ball. He stood near the plate while being checked on before eventually walking off the field to a round of applause from the crowd.

After a short delay, first base umpire James Jean took over behind the plate and the game continued with three umps. The Orioles beat the Guardians 6-4 to end their six-game skid.

Guccione joined the major league staff in 2009. He worked the World Series in 2016 and 2020.

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Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, right, leaves the game after being hit in the mask by a foul tip during the second inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, second from left, talks with a trainer and other officials after being hit in the mask by a foul tip during the second inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, second from left, talks with a trainer and other officials after being hit in the mask by a foul tip during the second inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)