Smith Out, Williams in Trouble | NFL News

0:00It's September 7th. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where the lead meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith is going under the knife for thumb surgery this Tuesday. He's heading to injury reserve, meaning he'll be out for at least the first four weeks of the season. Maybe even six to eight weeks according to. Coach Shottenheimer. This is a big deal for the offensive line, especially since they were looking to build on a strong rushing game from last year. This injury definitely shakes things up for the Cowboys front five. They've still got some uncertainty at right tackle and now losing a pro-bola like Smith makes that unit look a lot less formidable. It's not just about the team either. This definitely impacts fantasy football players, particularly running back to Vante Williams. Williams had a breakout year in 2025, racking up over 1200 yards, but with his main blocker sideline, repeating that kind of success is going to be a serious challenge. The effectiveness of his back up, Malik Davis, will be key, though

1:03Davis doesn't typically carry much fantasy weight on his own. Beyond the run game, there's also a potential ripple effect for quarterback, Dak Prescott, and his receivers. The line was pretty solid last season, giving up the ninth fewest sacks. How Smith's replacement handles past protection will be something to watch, but his primary role is paving the way for the run. The good news is that Smith isn't out for the whole season. He's a pro-bola who only missed one game last year, so he's expected to return at some point. Any fantasy dips for Williams and others might just be a temporary setback.