This week had started off with optimism regarding the soon return of Tyron Smith. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones had already said Monday that the offensive tackle could return to action this week. Well, Smith has already taken the first step toward that goal.
According to the first practice report of the week, Tyron Smith trained on a limited basis with the cowboy team. The Pro Bowler participated in individual exercises, this during the light practice that Dallas had this Wednesday. And while his status heading into the Cardinals game will be revealed by the end of the week, this is still a good sign.
Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (ankle) was at practice, participating in individual drills.
Safety Malik Hooker and DT Trysten Hill were both activated from Reserve/COVID-19 and were participating in the portion that is regularly open to media.
– Jon Machota (onjonmachota) December 29, 2021
Recall that Smith had not participated in practice for two weeks, this due to a sprained ankle he suffered in the week 14 game against Washington. This re-aggravated the injury that, remember, he initially suffered against the Vikings in Week 8 and that kept him out of action for the next three games.
Now, with his return to training, Smith is expected to reinforce the Cowboys’ offensive line in upcoming games. This will be vital for Dallas, especially with the playoffs already in mind. And more so now, that quarterback Dak Prescott showed signs of having come out of his performance slump.
Other updates to the Dallas injury report
Aside from Tyron Smith’s return to training, Dallas’ first injury report this week left little news.
According to the report, wide receiver Malik Turner and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence also trained on a limited basis on Wednesday. Turner has a calf pain, while Lawrence has a foot problem. If there are no drawbacks, both would be fit to play against Arizona.
On the other hand, running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard fully trained on Wednesday. Both players are reportedly feeling better from their respective injuries. Therefore, both should also play this week without problems.
#DallasCowboys/#Cardinals Practice / Injury Report. Want more? https://t.co/XpImtdZoYw pic.twitter.com/X723yVmqoL
— fishsports (@fishsports) December 29, 2021
Movements on the Cowboys roster
On the other hand, the cowboy team added some good news in the discharge section. On Wednesday, Dallas activated defensive tackle Trysten Hill and safety Malik Hooker from the COVID-19 list. Likewise, catcher Brandon Smith and running back JaQuan Hardy were also excluded from the list and rejoined to the practice squad.
But that was not all. The Cowboys also designated catcher Noah Brown to return from the disabled list after recovering from a groin injury. With this, the 21-day practice window for Brown’s return to the active Dallas roster has begun. And this, coupled with the recent emergence of Malik Turner, would give the cowboy team great depth in the receiving corps.
Cowboys S Malik Hooker and DT Trysten Hill returned to practice today, being activated from Reserve/COVID-19. Practice-squad RB JaQuan Hardy and WR Brandon Smith also practiced in COVID-19 return.
– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 29, 2021
Noah Brown was designated to return from IR on Wednesday— activating his 21-day practice window by for the #Cowboys.
Once activated, assuming no other injury at the position, his return plus emergence of Malik Turner makes for a WR room that’s Grand Canyon deep.
Six options.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 29, 2021
Among other moves, the Cowboys signed linebacker Devante Bond to the practice squad. The former Bucs and Bears would be taking the place of Francis Bernard, who could soon leave the COVID-19 list. However, Bernard will be recovering from a groin injury sustained last Sunday.
With this addition, Bond will be the fifth linebacker in the team’s rotation behind Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, Keanu Neal and Luke Gifford. It remains to be seen, then, if he will have a place on the team once Bernard recovers.
Devante Bond, former sixth-round pick of the Bucs in 2016, has signed on to the #Cowboys practice squad.
He adds depth at LB.
It is expected that Francis Bernard will return from the reserve/COVID-19 list as early as today, but is still nursing groin injury.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 29, 2021
For now, we have to wait for the news in the next Cowboys practice reports. The cowboy team is expected to train normally this Thursday and Friday, ahead of Sunday’s game. Of course, we’ll also be on the lookout for injury reports from the Cardinals, who could have some serious casualties this week.
