Terence Steele has been a lightning rod for debate amongst Dallas Cowboys fans over the past few seasons. The undrafted free agent gained favor with the coaching staff over former right tackle La’el Collins, who had injury issues late in his career with Dallas. While things haven’t always been pretty with Steele, he’s rounded into a viable starting option at right tackle early in his career. Unfortunately, the injury bug caught him this time.
How Can the Cowboys Move Forward After Terence Steele ACL Tear
The Cowboys have a few options to consider moving forward with their offensive line. None of those scenarios include Josh Ball seeing the field of play in any situation other than when the game is entirely out of hand.
Tyron Smith wasn’t ready to go for the Texans game, but his 21-day activation window was triggered, and he’s close to returning. Until he’s ready to see the field, the Cowboys’ options are limited to one unit option on the line:
Tyler Smith – Connor McGovern – Tyler Biadasz – Zack Martin – Jason Peters
That’s the five Dallas ended the Texans game with. The five that helped lead Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ 98 yards downfield for the go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute remaining. However, there are a few more options upon Tyron’s return, although one is far more likely than the other.
First, get it out of your head. I know you’re thinking it, but it’s not happening. Martin is not sliding out to right tackle, nor should he. The Cowboys have options, and moving their All-Pro right guard to right tackle to make two spots worse is not one of them. Although he’s shined in limited snaps out there, Martin also got banged up out there in the past.
Option 1
That leads us to the most realistic option.
Tyron Smith – Tyler Smith – Tyler Biadasz – Zack Martin – Jason Peters
From left to right, this puts the best five players on the field, risking little growing pains along the way, given only Peters is completely moving sides from where he’s used to being. And it’s hard to overstate how well he played after not having taken a snap at RT since Snap Yo Fingers first hit the radio waves.
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Additionally, as long the move inside doesn’t leave Tyler Smith in an awkward position in pass protection, it creates a wall of athletic freaks on the left side, leading an already outstanding rushing attack.
This option feels most likely, but there is another one.
Option 2
Tyron Smith – Connor McGovern – Tyler Biadasz – Zack Martin – Tyler Smith
This option keeps Peters on the bench, unless something were to happen to one of the Smiths. If an injury occurs to Tyron Smith or Peters in the first option, it would force Tyler Smith from left guard to right tackle and reinsert McGovern at left guard.
The problem with option two is the difference between footwork from the left to the right side for the rookie. Despite being the same technical position at tackle, the footwork at guard on the left side will be akin to left tackle. Additionally, Tyler Smith played the position during offseason workouts before Tyron was hurt.
Overall Outlook
Dallas was going to have to make an interesting decision either way, with Tyron Smith’s return imminent. Steele’s injury complicated things further, and undoubtedly hurts the RT spot overall. Peters is a Hall of Famer, but he’s well past his prime playing a position he hasn’t played in going on two decades.
The Cowboys were most likely getting a huge net positive with Tyron Smith’s return. Now, the waters are muddied. But if things go to plan and Tyler Smith assimilates to left guard adequately, this could be a net zero for Dallas, who, at best, strengthen their left side while losing a little on the right.
But we’ll have to await the results.