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. The Cowboys will have another abbreviated practice Tuesday as they get ready to play their third game in 12 days when they take on the Buccaneers.
Smith said he is wearing a cast on his thumb for extra protection and his conditioning is fine thanks to the work he has done with the athletic training and strength staffs.
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.
Because of the injury, he was unable to grab or punch.
"I tried to practice, tried to see what I could do, and ultimately I ended up making it a little bit worse," Smith said. "And so ultimately we have to end up getting surgery. It's unfortunate, but it's nobody's fault. It's what happens when you play football at a high level. So it's just one of those things."
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. Javonte Williams, however, has scored five of the Cowboys' six rushing touchdowns.
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. He dressed but did not play in one game in 2025 with a knee injury and one game in 2024 with an ankle injury. He missed three games in 2023, including the season opener, because of hamstring and foot injuries.
In February, Smith had a clean-up surgery on his right knee.
Elsewhere on the injury front, the Cowboys have some optimism that linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) could be available Thursday after missing the past three games, although he did not take part in Monday's work. Cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) is looking at missing his third straight game.
The Cowboys have not yet opened the practice window for linebacker Marist Liufau (forearm) or cornerback Devin Moore (groin).