Tyron Smith Development Emerges During Cowboys Season
Jerry Jones watched on as his Dallas Cowboys jumped to 3-3-1 under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, defeating Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders 44-22 in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. Now, the Cowboys turn their focus to Week 8, hitting the road to take on Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos.
Dak Prescott has been one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks through seven games despite multiple injuries along the offensive line. Even left tackle Tyler Guyton was forced to miss a game after suffering a concussion. The 2024 first-round pick has shown promise at the left tackle position, with many hoping he can eventually live up to the future Hall of Famer he replaced.
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77).Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Tyron Smith established himself as one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history during his 13 seasons with the Cowboys. A five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, he anchored the line while protecting quarterbacks such as Prescott and Tony Romo. After a string of injuries hampered his final years in Dallas, Smith signed with the Jets for the 2024 season before retiring in April 2025.
And on Friday, Smith made his return to football, joining the East-West Shrine Bowl as an offensive line coaching advisor. The college all-star game, showcasing some of the NFL's top prospects, will notably be held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the home of the Cowboys.
"BIG NEWS," East-West Shrine Bowl wrote on X. "Tyron Smith, 5x All-Pro and 8x Pro Bowler, is joining the East-West Shrine Bowl as an Offensive Line Coaching Advisor this year! We’re excited to have our offensive linemen working with a future hall of famer all week long #ShrineBowlWHOSNEXT"
BIG NEWS
Tyron Smith, 5x All-Pro and 8x Pro Bowler, is joining the East-West Shrine Bowl as an Offensive Line Coaching Advisor this year! We’re excited to have our offensive linemen working with a future hall of famer all week long 💪#ShrineBowlWHOSNEXT pic.twitter.com/XWURGbC6MS — East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) October 24, 2025
While Smith prepares for the upcoming Shrine Bowl on Jan. 27, 2026, the Cowboys get ready for their Week 8 matchup against the Broncos on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Packers Get Bad News on Star Rookie Before ‘SNF’ vs. Steelers
The Green Bay Packers could be without their top rookie due to an injury when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
After Friday’s practice, the Packers added first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to their injury report with a hip injury and designated him as questionable to play against the Steelers on Sunday after he started the week as a full participant.
The Packers could still clear Golden to play against the Steelers, but his injury popping up in the middle of the week — and threatening his availability — is mildly concerning. Even if the team believes it is not a long-term issue, it could impact how much they are willing to play Golden on Sunday if they are worried about making the problem worse.
Golden has the third-most receptions (18), receiving yards (249) and targets (23) for the Packers through the first seven weeks of the season, but they also have a plethora of quality pass-catchers dotting their roster who could pick up the slack if Golden sits out.
The Packers (4-1-1) will kick off against the Steelers (4-2) at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Matthew Golden Had Started to Break Out for Packers
Golden’s injury comes at an unfortunate time for the rookie, even if he plays Sunday.
Golden has gradually become a more vital part of the Packers’ passing offense over the past month. After seeing just four targets combined in his first two NFL games, he has received at least four targets in each of his last four games, catching 16 passes for 233 yards and emerging as one of starting quarterback Jordan Love’s new favorites.
Golden has also yet to drop a single pass six games into his NFL career, underscoring another reason (reliable hands) why the Packers selected him with the No. 23 pick.
Fortunately, there is still hope that Golden’s hip injury is minor. The Packers have not yet commented on the nature or extent of it, as head coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media before the team added Golden to the injury report following Friday’s practice.
If the Packers rule out Golden in Sunday’s pregame, though, it will spark more concern for his status moving into Week 9 — and the second half of the 2025 regular season.
Christian Watson Activated PUP List for Week 8 Game
The Packers would take a hit if they did not have Golden available against the Steelers in Sunday night’s prime-time matchup, but they will have back Christian Watson.
In a series of Saturday roster moves, the Packers activated wide receiver Christian Watson from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, clearing the way for him to return to the field for the first time since he tore his ACL early last January.
The Packers could potentially hold Watson to a pitch count in his first game back, but his availability should help alleviate concerns with Golden’s injury status. He can either split the reps with Golden in the “Z” receiver role if both play against the Steelers, or he can pick up the slack and take over for Golden entirely if the latter is ruled out.
