FRISCO, Texas -- If Tyron Smith can’t play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, then it looks like the Dallas Cowboys are ready to go with Byron Bell as their left tackle.
In last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Chaz Green took over for Smith and allowed four of the eight sacks the Cowboys allowed. Bell gave up two on the Cowboys’ final two drives.
The last time Bell started a game at left tackle came in Week 17 in 2015 with the Tennessee Titans when he took over for Taylor Lewan. Bell started games at both tackle spots and made seven at left guard.
“Just coming off the ball and getting to the junction point, just being physical with the guy and using hands and just getting a strike down,” Bell said. “Where I get in trouble is when I play complacent and timid. I just got to go out and cut it loose. If I get beat, just know this: I’m going to get beat my f------ way. If I lose I’m going to lose my way.”
The Cowboys signed Bell as a free agent despite the fact he didn't play last season because of an ankle injury. In training camp he was given a chance to compete for the starting left guard spot, but opened the season as the swing tackle. Before last week’s game against Atlanta, he was inactive for three games.
The Cowboys did not give Green as much help as they should have against the Falcons. With the Eagles using a varied pass rush with four defensive ends recording at least 2.5 sacks (Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett and Chris Long), the Cowboys will have to give Bell help this week.
“I just think you try to continue to lift those guys up and let them know that we believe in them no matter what and that as a group we can be successful,” center Travis Frederick said. “I think that you want to make them know or let them know that last week isn’t this week. Every week is a new week and you have a new opportunity to be successful.”
When Smith is healthy, the Cowboys rarely slide help to his direction. He has been named to the Pro Bowl every year since 2013.
“He’s a really productive player in the running game and a really productive player as a pass protector,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Week in and week out he seemingly blocks the best rushers that teams have.”
After Wednesday’s practice, Bell was able to get some work done with Smith.
“It’s a lot of pressure. I mean he’s a future Hall of Famer,” Smith said. “He’s one of the best at his position. Just come in and get the job done and we know we need big T. But when he’s not up it’s the next man up. I play my role and just go in and get the job done.”