The Washington Commanders didn’t have to do anything to land a better look at Week 2, but they got one anyway.
Dallas guard Tyler Smith is headed for surgery on his left thumb and will go on injured reserve, according to ESPN beat reporter Todd Archer. That knocks him out for the first four games of the 2026 season, which includes Washington’s trip to AT&T Stadium.
T.J. Bass is expected to step into the starting role, and that’s a clear step down for the Cowboys.
Smith has reportedly been dealing with the thumb issue for a while, and Dallas is choosing to fix it now before it gets worse. For Washington, the timing is obviously welcome. Smith is one of the league’s most productive young guards, and his absence gives defensive coordinator Daronte Jones a spot to attack in the Cowboys’ protection.
That doesn’t mean the Commanders suddenly have the upper hand in Dallas. They still have plenty to sort out if they want to beat a division rival that can score in bunches. But losing Smith does remove one of the tougher pieces from the Cowboys’ offensive line, and in a game that figures to be decided by small edges, that matters.
Washington’s defense will still have its hands full trying to slow one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses. Even so, Jones has taken over the unit with some intriguing additions across all three levels, and the Commanders at least enter the matchup with a real path to creating problems.
Up front, the Commanders will lean on Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Tim Settle Jr. to anchor the 3-4 front, eat blocks, and keep things clean for the linebackers behind them. If that group can hold its ground, Jones should have the pieces to be aggressive with his first NFL play-calling assignment.
Smith’s injury may not become the headline of the week in Dallas, but it gives Washington a clear opening. Interior offensive linemen rarely dominate the conversation, especially with the Cowboys, yet if the Commanders can turn Bass into a weak point, the rest of the matchup could start to tilt.
Dallas will still like its chances. The offense can pile up points quickly, and the defense could be better after a busy offseason. But the Commanders just got a meaningful break before the season even starts.
In Other News...
Commanders Just Added Receiver Depth That Could Matter Faster Than Expected
The Commanders added another layer to their receiver room by signing Van Jefferson Jr. to the practice squad as they turn the page into Week 1 prep. Jefferson had turned in a solid training camp, but he was the odd man out when Washington finalized its 53-man roster, with Luke McCaffrey getting the nod instead.
Even so, Jefferson never felt far from the picture, and this move gives Washington a familiar contingency if the position group gets hit by injuries or simply needs more production. For a roster still sorting out its early-season depth, it is the kind of addition that could matter sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Just Made Jaden Bradleys Early Path A Lot Tougher
The Commanders added another experienced receiver to the practice squad in Van Jefferson Jr., a move that gives Washington more depth behind its top pass catchers and subtly raises the bar for everyone else in the receiver room. For a young player like undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley, who also landed on the practice squad, it means the margin for earning attention just got a little slimmer even before the season settles into its rhythm.
Bradley still has something working in his favor: Washington views him as more than just camp depth and likes the work ethic that helped him hang around. The challenge now is turning that developmental spot into a real path forward, especially with veteran competition in the building and the practice squad becoming a proving ground rather than a placeholder. [Read more 🡒]
Treylon Burks Just Got The Commanders Opportunity He Needed
Treylon Burks entered the week with a clean slate in Washington, and the Commanders made the message even clearer when they released their Week 1 depth chart for the opener against the Eagles. Burks was listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, a notable sign for a player who arrived on a one-year deal and is looking for a fresh start after a difficult run with the Tennessee Titans.
The opportunity goes beyond a spot on the first depth chart. Under coordinator David Blough, Burks is expected to have a meaningful role in the offense, giving him a chance to show he can still be part of a long-term plan if he makes the most of this opening stretch. For Washington, it is a low-risk way to see whether a former first-round talent can finally find the right fit. [Read more 🡒]