The Dallas Cowboys have signed former Seattle Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad just before the start of the 2026 NFL season. This move comes as the Cowboys seek to fill the gap left by Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who will begin the season on injured reserve.
Tomlinson, a first-round draft pick in 2015, has a notable career, having started 162 of the 173 games he has played for teams including the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seahawks, and Houston Texans. He started all 17 games for the Seahawks in the 2024 season under head coach Mike Macdonald.
Last season, Tomlinson played for both the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens but has not been on an NFL roster since the end of the Ravens' 2025 campaign in January. The Cowboys are looking to utilize Tomlinson's veteran experience as a potential replacement from the practice squad, especially with Smith expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to injury.
Dallas is set to open the regular season against the New York Giants in just four days. While it remains unclear if Tomlinson will be promoted to the active roster for Week 1, the Cowboys have the option to elevate him on game days under current practice rules. In the meantime, backup interior lineman T.J. Bass is expected to step in for Smith.
