ARLINGTON — The Cowboys made a dramatic switch at left tackle for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.
Tyler Smith was moved from left guard to left tackle, replacing Nate Thomas.
And based on what coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the loss to the Chargers, Smith will be the starting left tackle for the rest of the season.
“That’s the plan, yep,” he said.
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Tyler Guyton, who is the starting left tackle, has missed the last four games with a high-ankle sprain.
Schottenheimer said Guyton is continuing to work back from the injury and with the short week — the Cowboys play at the Washington Commanders on Thursday — it will prevent him from playing in that game.
Schottenheimer did point out that Guyton hasn’t been ruled out for the rest of the season.
But when Guyton is ready to return, Schottenheimer noted, he won’t move to right tackle, a spot held by Terence Steele.
“I think Tyler [Guyton] could end up being the swing tackle,” Schottenheimer said. “You ask Smith in a couple days to move to left tackle, he can move to left guard. He’s such a luxury to have.”
Smith said he was asked to play left tackle because Thomas was dealing with an arm injury. He hasn’t been told if he’ll become the starting left tackle for the remaining two games of the regular season.
“I honestly have no idea,” he said. “For this week, it was due to some injuries, some guys going through some stuff. Ultimately I’m going to do what’s best for the team. Also, I’m a smart player, I understand who I am and where I am and ultimately what I’m getting paid to do. I’m going to be smart and we’ll have those conversations when we have those conversations.”
When Smith moved to left tackle, T.J. Bass took over at left guard.
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