The Dallas Cowboys have placed former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson on their practice squad. This move follows the announcement that starting guard Tyler Smith is sidelined for at least the first month of the season with a thumb injury. To address the gap, the team promoted guard Nick Leverett from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster.
Leverett, an undrafted free agent from Rice University in 2020, will back up new starter TJ Bass. His career includes three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started 10 games in 16 appearances, before splitting time between New England and Arizona in 2024. He joined the Cowboys organization last season while offensive coordinator Clayton Adams was with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tomlinson, 34, was chosen in the first round of the 2015 draft. He has started 162 career games and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020. Most recently, he started seven games for the Houston Texans last year. The Cowboys also finalized the acquisition of edge rusher Von Miller in August, though the report did not provide details on his current status or specific contributions.
In related news, ESPN released its annual poll of NFL executives and scouts regarding award candidates. The survey identified head coach Brian Schottenheimer as a contender for Coach of the Year. This recognition follows a 7-10 season record and suggests polled experts view Dallas as a strong contender to win the NFC East.
An NFC scout cited in the report highlighted quarterback Dak Prescott’s potential for a big year and an improved defense, noting that staying healthy gives the team a good chance at division supremacy. The poll also named safety Caleb Downs as the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, with scouts expecting him to disrupt plays in the slot and accumulate high tackle numbers.
