The Dallas Cowboys have signed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad just before the 2026 NFL season begins. This move addresses the absence of Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who will start the season on injured reserve. The team faces the New York Giants in four days for their season opener.
Tomlinson was a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has played 173 games in his career and started 162 of them. His previous teams include the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans.
During the 2024 season, he started all 17 games for the Seahawks under head coach Mike Macdonald. He also played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens last season. Tomlinson had not been on an NFL roster since the conclusion of the 2025 campaign in January.
It is not yet determined if Tomlinson will be promoted to the active roster for Week 1. However, modern practice squad rules allow the Cowboys to utilize him on game days. If he remains on the practice squad, backup interior lineman T.J.
Bass is expected to step in for Smith. Reports indicate Smith's recovery period could take 4 to 6 weeks. Tomlinson's career highlights include a second-team All-Pro selection in 2023 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 while with the 49ers.
