Head coach Dan Quinn has to weather a brutal early storm to begin the 2026 season. But the Washington Commanders' chances of toppling the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 have already received a significant boost.
According to ESPN beat reporter Todd Archer, prolific interior offensive lineman Tyler Smith will have surgery on his left thumb, placing him on injured reserve. This means he will miss the first four games of the campaign, including Washington's visit to AT&T Stadium.
Smith has reportedly been bothered by his thumb for some time, and the team has decided to address it before it worsens. T.J. Bass is set to start in his place, which is a significant downgrade either way.
Tyler Smith injury is a massive boost to the Commanders' Week 2 chances
This will only help the Commanders.
The Oklahoma product is one of the most prolific young guards in the business. Any team would miss a player of his caliber, so his absence gives defensive coordinator Daronte Jones a possible weak link to target in Dallas' protection.
It won't guarantee success, of course.
The Commanders have a lot more to worry about if they want to get one over on their bitter NFC East rivals. Still, not having Smith along the offensive line doesn't exactly hurt their chances either.
And in a fine-margin campaign, every little helps.
Washington's defense will still struggle to contain Dallas' offense, one of the league's most explosive. But with Jones now at the helm, coupled with the intriguing additions made at all three levels of the field, the Commanders are not without a chance.
Commanders will still have a tough time in Dallas despite Tyler Smith injury
Winning upfront will be crucial.
Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Tim Settle Jr. will lead the charge on Jones' 3-4 defensive front. They will plug gaps and absorb double teams while still making plays. This should free up space for the explosive inside and outside linebackers to wreak havoc, and the first-time NFL play-caller should also have the innovative scheme to maximize the resources at his disposal.
And in rivalry games, anything can happen.
Smith's injury will be overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Interior offensive linemen don't tend to get many headlines, especially in Dallas. But if the Commanders can expose Bass as a vulnerable guard when the two sides clash, it might be enough for cracks to show elsewhere.
The Cowboys will still be highly confident they can beat Washington, with or without Smith. Their high-octane offense can put up points in a hurry, while their porous defense might be much improved after some eye-catching additions this offseason.
That might be too much for the Commanders to overcome. But it's hard to believe their aspirations didn't improve with Smith now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
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