The Landry Hat

No center in Cowboys history earned more trips to the Pro Bowl than our selection for this slot. ByLuke Norris|Sep 9, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT Former Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Welcome once again to The Landry Hat's series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.

We are just days away from seeing the Dallas Cowboys kick off their 2026 season on Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants. And the matchup at MetLife Stadium will be our first litmus test in determining in just how much this defense improved against a young, talented New York offense. Between Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers, Christian Parker will have his work cut out for him in his first regular-season game as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator.

Not many have played 200 games for America's Team, but our selection in this slot is one of them. ByLuke Norris|Sep 8, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT Former Dallas Cowboys center Tom Rafferty | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Welcome back to our series covering the best Dallas Cowboys players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.

It sounds like Pickens may have a future in Dallas after all. ByJerry Trotta|Sep 8, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens | Alika Jenner/GettyImages A big reason why so much is riding on the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 season is that the roster could look different this time next year. George Pickens headlines a free agency class that also includes DeMarvon Overshown, Cobie Durant, T.J. Bass, Ryan Flournoy, and Brevyn Spann-Ford.

Cowboys Nation was ripped from Labor Day relaxation on Monday night when news broke that guard Tyler Smith would miss at least the first four games of 2026, and maybe more, with a thumb injury that requires surgery. It's a huge blow for Dallas' starting lineup, but could also have serious repercussions if something happens to Tyler Guyton at left tackle.

On one hand, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a gutting loss just six days before opening night. On the other hand, football is a war of attrition; they were never going to get through the season fully healthy. And Tyler Smith should still be available for the majority of the season. Brian Schottneheimer announced that Smith will undergo thumb surgery on Tuesday and miss the next 4-6 weeks.

The Dallas Cowboys maintained a clean bill of health the entire summer. So naturally, All-Pro guard Tyler Smith is set to undergo thumb surgery on Tuesday and miss the next 4-6 weeks. It's the bummer of all bummers with Dallas set to kick off the season against the New York Giants on Sunday night. Even though T.J. Bass is a starting-caliber guard and a seamless replacement -- and the Cowboys' offense should remain elite without Smith -- the timing could not be worse.

Alrighty, folks. After seven long months, the time has come for the Dallas Cowboys to put their money where their mouth is. This team has not shied away from expectations, as many franchise leaders fully expect a return to the playoffs. While Dallas is returning plenty of talent, the biggest reason expectations are higher than usual is the work it did this offseason.

Dallas Cowboys fans were holding their breath on the last day of the holiday weekend when reports began surfacing from practice that star offensive lineman Tyler Smith was not on the field or working with the rehab group. His Monday absence didn't have an obvious or immediate explanation.

The Dallas Cowboys open up the 2026 NFL season against their hated NFC East foe, the New York Giants. As if the Cowboys needed more fuel to take down their division rival, which they have subdued for seasons on end now, the trash talk, no matter how silly it is, is already coming in hot. Giants cornerback Greg Newsome II felt pretty confident last week, declaring that New York had the best cornerback room in the league. That is a check that everyone listening, and even he, knows he can't cash.