FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with senior offensive tackle Jason Peters to join their coaching staff, according to a source.
By signing him to the practice squad, it gives Peters time to work on football form and gives the Cowboys some roster flexibility. Peters, 40, visited The Star last weekend and was medically cleared.
The move comes after the Cowboys lost their eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyrone Smith At least until December, he tore a hamstring and needed surgery. Adding Peters gives them at least the insurance they need in the first round Tyler Smith Struggle at left tackle.
Tyler Smith has been competing for the starting left guard spot all training camp and started getting work at left tackle in two practices last week. The Cowboys resume practice Monday in preparation for Sunday’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I’m willing to do what I have to do to help the team,” Tyler Smith said last week. “Tyron got injured and I was sad. To have a guy like that, to be a cornerstone of this team, it’s the nature of football to have something unfortunate like that happen. It was a big shock to the program, and I know what it’s like. I was asked, I have to step up and fill it.”
Peters is entering his 18th season after starting 15 games for the Chicago Bears last year. He spent most of his career (11 years) with the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys don’t have a veteran backup tackle; Josh Paul He missed last season as a rookie due to an ankle injury and a fifth-round pick Matt Waletzko He missed most of training camp with a shoulder injury that would eventually require surgery.
How quickly Peters gets up to speed will depend on what kind of shape he is in after being absent from the team’s offseason conditioning program. Injuries were also an issue for Peters. He has only played a full season once since 2017.
