FRISCO, Texas – Tyron Smith is not expected to practice Thursday after the All-Pro tackle was unable to finish Wednesday's practice due to back tightness, head coach Jason Garrett said.
"Hopefully he'll practice tomorrow and have a chance to play on Sunday," Garrett said.
Garrett didn't want to speculate whether Smith's injury is related to the back tightness that kept him out of a few training camp practices. He missed two games last season due to a back injury.
Backup Byron Bell filled in at left tackle Wednesday after Smith's back flared up, Garrett said.
Other injury updates as the Cowboys continue preparations for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers:
- First-year defensive end Charles Tapper will have surgery Friday to repair a broken bone in his foot. Tapper suffered the injury when he accidentally stepped on a teammate's foot. The initial recovery timeline is 8-10 weeks, Garrett said. The Cowboys could choose to move Tapper to Reserve/Injured and create a spot to activate defensive lineman David Irving, who's returning from a four-game suspension.
- Linebacker Sean Lee missed Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, and "hopefully he'll be able to do something as this week goes on," Garrett said. The Cowboys want to be deliberate with Lee's injury to ensure he doesn't return too soon and aggravate it. But Garrett said the team wants to give him "every chance to play" against the Packers, no matter how much practice time he gets this week.
- Running back Ezekiel Elliott (chest) popped up on this week's injury report due to a hit he sustained last Sunday against the Rams, Garrett said. Elliott was able to practice fully Wednesday, however.
