The Dallas Cowboys have added veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to their practice squad as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. This roster move addresses the absence of Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who is scheduled to begin the year on injured reserve.
Tomlinson, a first-round selection in the 2015 draft, brings extensive experience to the team. He has appeared in 173 career games, starting 162 contests across stints with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans. Most recently, he started all 17 games for Seattle in 2024 under head coach Mike Macdonald.
His previous stops included time with the Texans and Ravens last season.
Allen, Texas is located approximately 20 miles north of Dallas.
The Cowboys face the New York Giants in their season opener in four days. While it remains uncertain whether Tomlinson will be promoted to the active roster for Week 1, current practice squad rules allow him to participate on game days if needed. Should he not be elevated, backup interior lineman T.J.
Bass is expected to fill Smith’s role during a recovery period estimated at four to six weeks.
