FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith hopes to make his season debut Thursday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after having surgery last month on his left thumb.
"I think it's possible. We're not ruling anything out," said Smith, who was officially listed as a limited participant in Monday's walkthrough. "Obviously this is limited reps this week just with a quick turnaround on Thursday, but we're going to do some work [Tuesday], kind of see how it feels. And then ultimately when I feel ready, when the coaches feel like I'm ready, it's boots on the ground and we're rolling."
The Cowboys opened Smith's practice window Monday, although the workout was for only about an hour. Smith said he is wearing a cast on his thumb for extra protection and his conditioning is fine. Smith had surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb a week before the season started and has missed the first four games on injured reserve. He sustained the injury in the Cowboys' joint practice against the New Orleans Saints.
T.J. Bass replaced Smith at left guard. The Cowboys are averaging 30.5 points per game, tied for second in the NFL through four weeks, but they are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry in the run game. Smith, 25, has been named to the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons, joining Larry Allen and Zack Martin as the only guards in franchise history to appear in three Pro Bowls in their first four seasons.
Elsewhere, the Cowboys have some optimism that linebacker De Marvion Overshown (hamstring) could be available Thursday after missing the past three games. Cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) is looking at missing his third straight game.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing