The Cowboys placed left guard Tyler Smith on injured reserve after thumb surgery.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Smith will miss at least the first four games. The club said he is expected to miss four to six weeks and is designated for return, which frees a 53-man roster spot. T.J. Bass moves into the starting lineup at left guard.
Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler. Bass has 10 career starts, including five last season. The earliest return window after the four-game IR minimum is Week 5 against Tampa Bay on Oct. 8.
No contract dollars were published with the injury move.
