Inside the Dallas Cowboys 'favorable' plan to replace injured LT Tyron Smith

Inside the Dallas Cowboys 'favorable' plan to replace injured LT Tyron Smith

FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys say that in regard to the medical examination of the ankle of left tackle Tyron Smith, they got “favorable results.” But what they need next? "Favorable results'' from new left tackle Cameron Fleming.

Smith, injured awkwardly on the final drive in Sunday night's 12-10 loss at New Orleans, left the Superdome in a walking boot. The diagnosis: an ankle sprain that will certainly keep him out of this week's game against the visiting Packers, but may not be a long-term problem beyond that.

“It’s hard to say anything definitively about him, but we did get some favorable results from the MRI,” coach Jason Garrett said. “So we’re going to list him as 'week-to-week' and just see how he responds over the next few days. We’re still less than 24 hours out from the injury, so we’ll just see how he responds coming in. But the initial results have been favorable.”

This can end up being a success story not only because the gifted Smith soon returns to the lineup, but also because his replacement, Fleming, holds up in his stead.

Fleming replaced Smith for the rest of the game in New Orleans, and the Cowboys have quickly dissolved any debate about his role now: If Tyron can't play, Fleming - a part-time starter during his days with the Patriots who was re-signed to a two-year deal by Dallas this offseason -- is not, like is predecessor Chaz Green, a "prospect'' or a "project.''

The Cowboys (like Green Bay 3-1) don't feel they're rolling the dice here as they did two years ago, when Green stepped in for Smith to disastrous results.

“That’s one of the reasons we went out and got (Fleming),” Garrett said. “He’s a veteran player, an experienced player, and has done a good job when he’s had opportunities to play in this league and did a good job for us last year.”

The 6-6, 320-pound Fleming, 27, is a Texas native who was a 2014 fourth-round NFL Draft pick out of Stanford. His credentials and performance are part of the reason he'll get the job. Additionally, though, the Cowboys figure it's easier to simply replace one guy rather than shuffle around the other four guys to fix the vacancy. So no, starting left guard Connor Williams won't slide over to tackle with Xavier Su'a-Filo (another reliable backup) starting at guard. And no, All-Pro right guard Zack Martin won't switch other, either.

Surely in practice this week, as emergency prep, someone like Williams (and maybe even Martin) will take a couple of snaps at left tackle, just in case Fleming goes down in the game. Dallas also has young Brandon Knight on the roster and he figures to be activated for the first time as a backup.

La’el Collins will not practice today (back), Garrett says. No Tyron, either. So the first-team #Cowboys tackles today are Cam Fleming and Connor Williams, w Su’a-Filo stepping in at LG.

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) October 2, 2019

UPDATE: A bit of a change-up, and hopefully one of the one-day variety, above.

But this is Cameron Fleming's gig for now. And the Cowboys aren't asking for miracles. Just "favorable results.''