During training camp, Bass would often times get work with the first-team offensive line in team drills when Schottenheimer and the Cowboys staff would give Smith less snaps in order to manage his workload as a veteran. Schottenheimer hopes those reps will pay off in a game setting.
“Offensive line play is tied together,” Schottenheimer said. “We’ve gone into games with four new starters on the offensive line. I’m very, very confident that this group will play well against a really good front. I have great confidence in T.J. Bass. He’s extremely bright, very physical, great athlete. He’ll do a marvelous job for us, I’m sure, stepping in.”