The Dallas Cowboys organization has made significant changes to its offensive line following an injury to starting guard Tyler Smith. Smith will miss at least the first month of the season due to a thumb injury. In response, the team added former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad.
They also promoted guard Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. Leverett, an undrafted free agent out of Rice University in 2020, will serve as the backup to new starter TJ Bass. His professional journey includes three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started 10 games across 16 appearances.
He later split time between New England and Arizona in 2024 before joining the Cowboys organization last season while offensive coordinator Clayton Adams was still with the Arizona Cardinals. Tomlinson, 34, brings significant experience to Dallas. Selected in the first round of the 2015 draft, he has started 162 career games and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.
Most recently, he started seven games for the Houston Texans last year.
Amidst these roster adjustments, ESPN released its annual poll of NFL executives and scouts regarding award candidates. The survey identified Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer as a contender for Coach of the Year, a notable shift from previous years when his candidacy might have been dismissed.
This recognition follows a 7-10 season record and suggests polled experts view Dallas as a strong contender to win the NFC East. An NFC scout cited in the report highlighted quarterback Dak Prescott’s potential for a big year and an improved defense, noting that staying healthy gives the team a good chance at division supremacy.
The poll also named safety Caleb Downs as the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, with scouts expecting him to disrupt plays in the slot and accumulate high tackle numbers.
