Just when it felt like things couldn’t get worse for the Dallas Cowboys, we were proven wrong in true Cowboys fashion. Per Todd Archer of ESPN, rookie guard Tyler Booker has a high ankle sprain and will miss four to six weeks.
There’s a lot to cover with this one. Firstly, it’s a bit odd that Booker is the third player of significance to suffer that same injury recently. CeeDee Lamb and fellow offensive lineman Cooper Beebe have been stricken with the same ailment within the last two weeks.
It’s especially disappointing after Booker had what was by far the best performance of his young career on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. After recording a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 55.7 in Week 1 and 53.1 in Week 2, Booker was the highest graded offensive player for Dallas with an 83.0 mark.
Of course, the Cowboys offensive line already faced a tough task against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. In addition to old friend Micah Parsons, they’ll have to stop a pass rush that features Rashan Gary (4.5 sacks) and Devonte Wyatt (2) as well.
So, who will be stepping up while Booker is out? It will likely be third year man and former undrafted free agent, TJ Bass. He’s not totally inexperienced either, having logged over 300 snaps in both 2023 and 2024.
He acquitted himself well enough in those snaps, being credited with a 54.1 grade in 2023 and a 63.0 mark last season. Those are perfectly fine numbers for a seventh OL on any team, and they’ll have to suffice while he fills in for Booker.
In the bigger picture, this is a classic example of the next man up mentality that permeates in sports. Luckily for Dallas, they’re uniquely equipped to survive these sorts of injuries.
Bass and Brock Hoffman would be in the regular starting five for at least a handful of teams in the league, and George Pickens has experience as an at least above average No. 1 wide receiver.
But, for as impressive as that depth is, it’s obviously concerning that it is being tested to such an extent so soon. If the Cowboys can somehow avoid more injuries like this over the next month, then they might just have a shot at, at least, being competitive in the rest of their games.
If starters keep having to tap out like this though, then a disappointing season might get very ugly, very quickly.