The Dallas Cowboys are second in the NFC East division with an impressive 9-3 record, but they're set to become even stronger.
The Cowboys are set to finally welcome back left tackle Tyron Smith to their offensive line, someone who hasn't played a single minute of football this season. The eight-time Pro Bowler was also absent for large parts of last season with an ankle injury, and tore his hamstring in training camp during the build-up to the current campaign.
Smith was pictured in practice for the first time since August as the Cowboys prepare to take on the Houston Texans. In the absence of Smith the Cowboys signed former Chicago Bears tackle Jason Peters, and now they have both at their disposal.
Smith has now returned to practice, and was seen getting friendly with Peters, another vastly experienced Pro Bowl star. Between them, they share 17 appearances in the Pro Bowl, but the Cowboys will be hoping that they can both assist their Super Bowl ambitions.
The Cowboys are storming their way to the play-offs, and after scoring a mammoth 33 points in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts last week, confidence is flowing. The Cowboys have five games between now and the end of the regular season to clinch their spot, and they'll be hopeful of winning them all in a bid to catch the Philadelphia Eagles.
And they play the Eagles on Christmas Eve, a clash that could well determine who will clinch the NFC East. If Smith can be integrated by then, their hopes will be significantly improved, although his fitness does remain a concern.
Although Smith may be a welcome addition to the roster, it appears that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not willing to take a risk with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, who has been visiting the facility this week. Beckham Jr remains a free agent after leaving the Los Angeles Rams, but is still recovering from an ACL injury.
Beckham Jr tore his ACL in the Super Bowl last season, which the Rams went on to win. The receiver was seen out with Cowboys stars Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons this week, but has now reportedly left their facility with no deal.
Jones remained keen on Beckham Jr but did stress that his injuries were a concern, especially as he comes with the expectation of a big contract. And it seems as though it's a risk not worth taking, and Beckham Jr remains a free agent for now.
"I’m not confident at all," Jones said, via Mark Lane of WFAA. "And, so, that’s the issue Now, we all realise that issue of health, that issue of availability is here every time. Just this one is very obvious and very pointed toward his injury that occurred last year in the Super Bowl.
"We got a good bead on that. We got a great read on his career. It’s not like a draft pick coming at you. You got a lot of history here and you can take a good look at, not only the obvious and that’s his performance, but also any issues regarding health. So, all of this we got to come in with our eyes wide open and it has to be addressed, and that’s when you can see if you can make a deal or not."
