ORLANDO - In the past few days, the Cowboys have seen three defensive linemen undergo surgeries for nagging injuries that plagued them throughout the season.
However, it doesn't appear their best offensive linemen will be joining them.
Left tackle Tyron Smith, who was hampered all season, especially late in the year with multiple injuries, said Friday he doesn't require surgery on his back.
"I'm feeling good," said the soft-spoken Smith after another NFC practice at the Pro Bowl. "I don't need it."
Just his presence at the Pro Bowl should be a sign that Smith's health has improved.
While he was able to play in the NFC Divisional round loss to Green Bay, Smith was held out of the season finale against the Eagles and had been limited in practice for most of the final month of the regular season.
If there's any real pain Smith is feeling it seems to be stemming from the playoff loss to the Packers, although being at the Pro Bowl can therapeutic.
[embeddedad0]"It's fun to be here, especially with my teammates," Smith said, standing next to fellow teammates Zack Martin and Travis Frederick. "It helps take your mind of of the game a little bit. But it still stings."
The Cowboys are thankful Smith will not need the surgery on his back. But that wasn't the case for three defensive linemen who like Smith, also dealt with injuries at the end of the year.
Tyrone Crawford underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday and DeMarcus Lawrence had back surgery.
"Apparently both of the surgeries went well," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said from the Pro Bowl. "We're excited to get them back. No real timetable right now but hopefully we'll get them back in the offseason program once we get started."
Defensive tackle Cedric Thornton also underwent surgery on his shoulder earlier in the week.
View some of our favorite photos from day three of NFC practice at the Pro Bowl.
