Tyler Smith Is Back. The Offensive Line Gets to Exhale.

Tyler Smith returned to practice Thursday after thumb surgery, and for a team that has spent most of the past two weeks patching its defense, this was a different kind of news — something that actually went right.

The offensive line has been the quieter success story of this Dallas season. While the defense has shed starters at safety, lost depth at linebacker and defensive end, and watched DeMarvion Overshown go from anchor to absent, the offensive side of the ball has mostly held together. Prescott threw for over 4,500 yards last season behind that unit. Javonte Williams ran for 1,201 yards. The line gave the offense a foundation, and Smith has been a significant part of why.

His absence created real exposure. Matt Hennessy is already on injured reserve, Princeton Fant's status remains Questionable after being carted off in camp, and Drew Shelton is also listed as Questionable. That's a lot of uncertainty crowding the same position group at the same time. Getting Smith back doesn't solve the defense — nothing this week has solved the defense — but it keeps the one functional side of this roster from developing its own set of problems.

The Cowboys need the offense to carry weight this season because the defense cannot be counted on to share it. Smith being healthy enough to practice is a small thing, but right now Dallas is collecting small things.