Cowboys Activating Pro Bowl LG Tyler Smith from IR for Buccaneers Game

Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith will make his season debut Thursday night after missing four games following thumb surgery.

The Dallas Cowboys are activating Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith from injured reserve to play in Thursday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Smith will make his season debut after missing the first four games of the year. The 25-year-old underwent surgery last month to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, an injury sustained during a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints.

Smith practiced this week wearing a cast for protection and indicated his conditioning is ready for game action. The injury previously prevented him from grabbing or punching, leading T.J. Bass to start at left guard in his absence. Smith joins Larry Allen and Zack Martin as the only guards in franchise history to earn Pro Bowl honors in three of their first four seasons.

Dallas enters the matchup tied for second in the NFL with 30.5 points per game but has struggled with a 3.8-yard rushing average. While the team has six rushing touchdowns on the season, Javonte Williams is responsible for five of those scores. The Cowboys officially opened Smith's practice window on Monday before making the decision to move him to the active roster.