Laken Tomlinson has signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, bringing 173 career games to the team as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season. The move addresses the absence of Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who will start the season on injured reserve. Tomlinson, a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, has started 162 of his career games.
His professional experience includes stints with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans. He started all 17 games for the Seahawks in 2024 under head coach Mike Macdonald.
Tomlinson played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens last season. He had not been on an NFL roster since the 2025 campaign ended in January. The Cowboys face the New York Giants in four days for their season opener.
It is not yet determined if Tomlinson will be promoted to the active roster for Week 1, though modern practice squad rules allow for game-day utilization. If he remains on the practice squad, backup interior lineman T.J. Bass is expected to fill in for Smith during his recovery, which reports suggest could take 4 to 6 weeks.
Tomlinson’s career includes a second-team All-Pro selection in 2023 and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 with the 49ers. His addition provides experienced depth to the offensive line as the team navigates the early part of the season.