FRISCO, Texas — Hunter Luepke said Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys spent training camp preparing for exactly the situation they are in without Tyler Smith.
Smith will keep leading from off the field, in Luepke’s view.
“I think that’s what training camp is for. It’s for everybody to get reps and show that they’re ready to step up when they need to,” Luepke said. “It’s going to suck not having him out there, but he’ll continue to lead even though he’s not out there. I know he will, and we’ll have guys that are ready and want to fill their shoes.”
Smith had surgery Tuesday on a ligament in his left thumb. Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that Smith would go on injured reserve with a four-to-six-week timeline, which rules him out for at least the first four games.
T.J. Bass starts at left guard in his place. Bass started 5 games for Dallas in 2025 and has 10 starts across three seasons.
Dallas drafted Smith 24th overall in 2022. He has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past three seasons, was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2023, and started all 16 games he played last season. He also sits on the Cowboys’ leadership council.
Dak Prescott was sacked 31 times in 2025, on 4.91% of his dropbacks. Dallas ranked second in the league in total yards and seventh in scoring at 27.7 points per game.
Hunter Luepke On Where The Cowboys Run Game Can Go
The Cowboys return every offensive starter besides Smith.
“Yeah, I mean, I think the sky’s the limit. I think we’ve got a bunch of hungry guys here, guys who want to be great,” Luepke explained. “We’re going to put in the work, and we’re going to let it speak for itself on Sundays.”
Javonte Williams carried 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 games, averaging 4.8 a carry, and added 35 receptions for 137 yards and 2 more scores. Dallas ran for 2,136 yards as a team, ninth in the league, on 465 attempts at 4.6 a carry.
Luepke played all 17 games with 5 starts. He carried 16 times for 71 yards, caught 13 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, and made 13 tackles on special teams.
He signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State in 2023, where he won two FCS national championships.
Hunter Luepke On The Rebuilt Cowboys Defense
Preseason and the open camp practices are all anyone outside the building has seen of Christian Parker’s unit.
“Very excited. You got little sneak peeks from the preseason and what little everyone saw during training camp,” Luepke said. “I’m really excited to go watch them boys play.”
Dallas allowed 511 points in 2025, the most in the league. Parker replaced Matt Eberflus and moved the front to a 3-4. The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary, signed Von Miller, and used first-round picks on Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Downs. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark start inside.
Luepke has blocked against it every day since camp opened in Oxnard on July 29.
“I think just the defense as a whole has changed from every year that I’ve been here. I think there’s a different mentality on that side of the ball this year, which is fun to see,” Luepke added. “A little bit frustrating to play against in practice, but, no, it’s fun.”
The opener is on the road against a division opponent. Dallas went 4-2 inside the NFC East last season while finishing 7-9-1.
Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on NBC.
