The loss of right offensive tackle Terence Steele for the rest of the season has the Cowboys in a particular dilemma: who will take his place? While Jason Peters and Josh Ball are logical choices, the Cowboys could consider a third option that involves fewer changes to their starting offensive line.
And that option would mean playing Tyron Smith at right tackle.
In fact, a rumor is spreading within the team facility that Smith has been working out at right tackle this week. This is stated by Bryan Broaddus, former Cowboys scout and current sports analyst at 105.3 The Fan. Even an article by Michael Gehlken from The Dallas Morning News gives strength to those rumors, stating that the veteran lineman has been “ambidextrous” during training sessions.
Whispers are saying that Tyron Smith might see some work at ROT ????♂️ https://t.co/JHjcvkJspb
— BryanBroaddus (@BryanBroaddus) December 15, 2022
Let’s remember that Tyron Smith would be returning this week after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered at the end of August during a preseason practice. On paper, the eight-time Pro Bowler was going to return to his regular spot at left tackle. This, in turn, meant that rookie Tyler Smith would move to left guard. And this is what the team had planned before the 2022 season.
However, the loss of Terence Steele changed the plans.
Now, according to recent rumors, Tyron Smith would return to play right tackle for the first time since 2011, his rookie year in the NFL. This way, the Cowboys would alter their starting offensive line as little as possible, leaving Tyler Smith at left tackle. This may benefit Dallas, as the constant changes to that line last season altered its chemistry and performance.
Cowboys’ Tyron Smith is expected to play and possibly start at right tackle Sunday vs. Jaguars for the first time since his 2011 rookie season. The longtime left tackle looks “ambidextrous” in practice. https://t.co/sInO8VYFnH
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 16, 2022
What other options are there for the right tackle job?
Before these Tyron Smith rumors surfaced, Dallas’ options to replace Terence Steele at right tackle were limited to two: Josh Ball and veteran Jason Peters. In fact, they both played last Sunday against the Texans after Steele was released, with Peters earning all the praise during the offensive drive that led Dallas to victory.
Interestingly, Peters’ case is very similar to Smith’s: He hadn’t played right tackle in a long time. But, while Smith hasn’t done it since 2011, Peters’ last time was in 2005. Faced with the team’s need in the fourth quarter against the Texans, the former Eagles and Bears player stepped up. And this without having previous practice playing on the right.
After this performance, everything indicated that it would be Jason Peters who would play as starting right tackle at least this Sunday against the Jaguars. However, earlier in the week reports surfaced that the Cowboys would rotate Peters and Josh Ball at the job. Apparently, the coaching staff wouldn’t want to give the veteran that much of a snap load. This, that is to say, despite the fact that Ball is still not a guaranteed option.
Looks like the Cowboys will rotate at right tackle with Josh Ball and Jason Peters on Sunday against Jags.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) December 12, 2022
A platoon with Josh Ball & Jason Peters is a ridiculous idea. We don’t need to see anymore from Ball. Not this year, not at this time. Two things need to be figured out: can Peters sustain at RT? If not, what are our non-Ball options to fix it.#DallasCowboys #CowboysNation
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) December 13, 2022
However, now the Cowboys may be thinking about that same rotation plan, but now involving Jason Peters and Tyron Smith.
On paper, this would fit with the intentions of the coaching staff. For one thing, rotating with both would allow Peters and Smith to give them a limited load of snaps. At the same time, using both at right tackle would mean not having to make changes to the rest of the starting offensive line.
For now, it remains to be seen what finally happens this Sunday against the Jaguars. The Cowboys’ coaching staff could use this game as a “test” to determine which option is best for them: keep Jason Peters stuck at right tackle and go back to their original plans, or have Tyron Smith take that spot.
If Dallas will do any experiments, it better do them before the key Week 16 game against the Eagles. That way, you won’t bring instability to your offensive line. Especially now, that his pass to the playoffs is almost assured.
