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Tyron Smith Won’t Play Sunday Night And The Cowboys Are Screwed
By Bob Wankel
Published:
According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Cowboys All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith will miss Sunday night’s game against the Eagles.
A person with knowledge of the situation tells me Cowboys LT Tyron Smith will not play Sunday (groin). Byron Bell will start instead.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 16, 2017
The impending absence of Smith, who also sat out the Cowboys’ 27-7 blowout loss in Atlanta with groin and back injuries, is a huge blow to the Dallas offense. But if you were hoping to see Brandon Graham turn backup tackle Chaz Green into a human turnstile for a second-straight week, don’t get your hopes up. It appears seventh-year pro Byron Bell, who didn’t play football in 2016 after suffering a dislocated ankle during OTAs, will get the nod this week in place of Smith.
Do Graham and Bell have any history? Why yes. Yes, they do.
Here’s Brandon Graham destroying Byron Bell (Tyron Smith’s replacement) back in 2014. #Eagles #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/VKxrFiUEJA
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 16, 2017
My initial reaction? How inept has Bell looked in practice this season that Green got the first crack at starting in place of Smith a week ago? Green allowed five sacks last week, while Bell allowed two more in very limited action. For the Cowboys’ part, there’s this:
They have faith in Byron Bell. Played position before. Last started there for Titans in final game against Colts. Been working with T.Smith https://t.co/is3L7uuCPQ
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 16, 2017
Sure thing. For the gamblers out there, the Eagles are now a four-and-a-half point favorite in several Las Vegas sports books. As for my previously written angst over a short line? It’s gone. Eagles by fo-fillion.
Bob Wankel covers the Phillies for Crossing Broad. He is also the Vice President of Sports Betting Content at SportRadar. On Twitter: @Bob_Wankel E-mail: b.wankel@sportradar.com