The Dallas Cowboys have placed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson on their practice squad just prior to the start of the 2026 NFL season. This roster move addresses the absence of Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who is starting the year on injured reserve.
Tomlinson, a first-round selection in the 2015 draft, brings extensive experience from his time with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans. He has appeared in 173 career games, starting 162 of them. Most recently, he started all 17 contests for the Seahawks in 2024 under head coach Mike Macdonald.
Before that, he played for the Texans and Ravens last season.
The Colony, Texas, is located approximately 25 miles north of Dallas.
Tomlinson had not been on an NFL roster since January 2025. His addition offers depth as the team prepares to face the New York Giants in four days. It remains uncertain whether he will move to the active roster for Week 1, though modern practice squad rules allow him to play on game days if needed.
Backup interior lineman T.J. Bass is expected to fill Smith’s role during a recovery period estimated at four to six weeks.
