Who Should I Start? Braxton Jones or Tyler Smith

Monday, December 23, 12:21 PM

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones (ankle), who was carted off the field in Sunday's loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions, is believed to have suffered a fractured left ankle, according to a source. Jones is undergoing tests on Monday, and as of right now, it looks like it's only a fractured fibula and not his tibia as well. He's now facing a four-month recovery and should be back well before training camp next summer. The 25-year-old had his leg put in an air cast before he was carted off, and he'll obviously miss the last two games of the season for Chicago. It's more bad news for a struggling Bears offense as they head into the final stretch of what has been an extremely disappointing 2024 campaign. With Jones on the shelf, Larry Borom is expected to make the start at left tackle for the team's Week 17 tilt against the Seattle Seahawks.

Thursday, September 7, 10:59 AM

Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith (hamstring) is optimistic that he can play in the Week 1 regular season opener this Sunday night against the New York Giants. "He says he feels really good. He's very optimistic," head coach Mike McCarthy said. Smith won't practice on Thursday and will rehab off to the side with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown as part of a return-to-play procedure. The 22-year-old injured his hamstring in practice earlier this week and was diagnosed with a strain, but the Cowboys aren't ruling him out of Sunday night's game. If Smith can't practice by Saturday, then the Cowboys will likely move Chuma Edoga into the starting lineup.