The Dallas Cowboys have placed veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson on their practice squad. This move follows the announcement that starting guard Tyler Smith is sidelined for a minimum of one month with a thumb injury. To address the gap on the offensive line, the team elevated 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 professional history includes three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he started 10 of 16 games. He also spent time with New England and Arizona in 2024 before joining the Cowboys organization last season while offensive coordinator Clayton Adams was with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tomlinson, 34, was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He started seven games for the Houston Texans last year. In related news, ESPN’s annual poll of NFL executives and scouts named head coach Brian Schottenheimer as a contender for Coach of the Year.
This recognition comes after a 7-10 season and suggests experts view Dallas as a strong NFC East contender. An NFC scout noted that quarterback Dak Prescott’s potential and an improved defense give the team a good chance at division supremacy if they stay healthy.
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.