Mazi Smith Injury News & Updates

The Cowboys traded Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick to the Jets for DT Quinnen Williams on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

A 2023 first-round pick, Smith wasn't able to live up to the billing, finishing his two-plus-year tenure in Dallas with 57 tackles, including 2.0 sacks, in 39 regular-season games. He'll join a rotation at defensive tackle in New York that includes Harrison Phillips, Jay Tufele (knee) and Jowon Briggs.

Smith is active for Sunday's contest against the Commanders.

Smith has played inconsistently this season, but he will now be active for his fourth contest of the year. The defensive lineman has compiled just one tackle to this point in the season, playing 50 snaps on defense and 15 with the special-teams unit.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Eagles.

The 2023 first-rounder started in all 17 regular-season games last year, but he was in jeopardy of not making the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. While he ultimately made the cut, Smith will be a healthy scratch Thursday, with Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday, September 14 being his next chance to play. Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia will serve in a rotational role at defensive tackle behind starters Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark.

Smith may be on the roster bubble for the Cowboys, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

The 2023 first-round pick has failed to make any kind of impact in his first two NFL seasons, with his only redeeming quality being that he hasn't missed a game. Smith graded out 208th among 220 interior defensive linemen last year according to Pro Football Focus, and offseason turnover in the coaching staff means that the current brain trust of head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus have little investment in keeping the 24-year-old Michigan product around. "We're still in the information gathering process," Schottenheimer said Monday. "We'll sit down after we play Friday and we'll make some decisions about the entire roster. There will probably be some surprises from some of the mock things that are out there in terms of, 'Hey, I thought for sure this guy was gonna make it.' " The coach did note that Smith "did some good things" in last Saturday's preseason game against the Ravens, but he also highlighted his lack of consistency. "Mazi wants to be a great player. Mazi can. Bu

Smith (knee) logged one tackle during Dallas' preseason loss to the Ravens on Saturday.

Smith had previously been limited in practice due to a knee injury but is seemingly healthy again. He is expected to serve as one of the team's starting defensive tackles alongside Osa Odighizuwa once the regular season gets underway.

Smith (knee) did not practice Tuesday, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said after practice Tuesday that the team isn't concerned about Smith's injury. Selected 26th overall in the 2023 Draft, Smith has appeared in all 34 regular-season games over the last two seasons, logging 54 tackles (31 solo), including 2.0 sacks. He's made little impact in the box score for Dallas, but Smith should once again be counted on to log heavy playing time in 2025.

Smith started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2024 and recorded 41 tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks.

The 2023 first-round pick also nearly doubled his snap count from 287 as a rookie to 500 this year. Dallas' defense, though, struggled against the run, allowing the fourth-most yards in the league.

Smith (pelvis) is active for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

The defensive tackle missed practice Wednesday, returned as a limited participant Thursday and Friday and carried a questionable tag into the weekend. Smith has played in every game this season for the Cowboys, recording 39 tackles (21 solo).

Smith (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

A back injury prevented Smith from participating in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he was able to return in a limited capacity Friday. The 2023 first-round pick was considered a true game-time decision Sunday, and he will indeed suit up, though he could be on a snap count given the uncertainty of his playing status before the official inactive list was announced. Linval Joseph would be the beneficiary of increased playing time if Smith is in fact limited.

Smith (back) is considered a true game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Smith was able to get in a limited practice session Friday after being a DNP in each of the first two practices of the week, and he was given the questionable tag for Sunday's game. Further clarity on Smith's availability will come about 90 minutes before the 4:25pm kickoff when the Cowboys release their inactive list.

Smith (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

After failing to practice Wednesday and Thursday, Smith was able to get in a limited session Friday. Smith has started both games to start the season but has yet to record anything on the stat sheet.

Smith has progressed through the allergy issues he had been dealing with and participated in a mock game on Monday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

The problem that cropped up late last week was apparently a minor one, as Smith is already back in pads. He projects to play a significant role on the interior of Dallas' defensive line in 2024.

Smith did not travel with the team to Las Vegas after suffering an allergic reaction Friday at training camp, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Smith has not officially been ruled out for Saturday's preseason matchup with the Raiders, but given it is an exhibition contest, expect Dallas to err on the side of caution. The 2023 first round pick is projected to start at defensive tackle next to Osa Odighizuwa this season.

Smith appeared to be back to his usual playing weight on the first day of training camp practices Thursday, and he lined up as the 1-technique on the first-team defense, Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com reports.

The 26th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith had a rough rookie season due in part to a shoulder issue that required surgery in the offseason. He showed up at OTAs below his playing weight as he continued his recovery from the surgery, but the Michigan product looks to be 100 percent heading into camp. Dallas is looking for Smith to help anchor the middle of the defensive line in 2024 alongside Osa Odighizuwa.

Smith has now recovered from a shoulder injury, Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Smith underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the offseason but is now healthy again. The 23-year-old will look to help provide depth along the definitive line once the regular season begins.

Smith is rehabbing his shoulder during OTAs, Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Smith underwent surgery at the beginning of the offseason for an issue which plagued him during his rookie year, and he still seems to be bothered by it even a couple months later. If and when he's healthy, he projects to play a significant role on Dallas' defensive line in 2024.

Smith (shoulder) is recovering from offseason surgery and expected to be ready for training camp, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Smith underwent surgery shortly after the end of the 2023 season, so a four-to-six month recovery timetable puts him well on track for training camp in July. The 2023 first-round pick only handled a depth role as a rookie, suiting up for all 17 games but playing just 287 defensive snaps.

Smith (knee) returned to practice Wednesday.

Smith had been dealing with knee tendinitis and underwent a precautionary MRI, which didn't reveal anything different. His ability to return to practice quickly should be good news for the rookie and the Cowboys' defensive line.

The Cowboys are optimistic regarding Smith (knee) going forward after he underwent an MRI on Tuesday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Smith underwent the MRI due to general knee discomfort he has felt during camp. However, a source familiar with the situation has indicated, "he's fine." The team's first-round pick is expected play a key role on their defensive line this season, so expect them to exercise caution in order to ensure his health for Week 1.

Smith (knee) is not practicing Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Smith has been battling tendinitis during camp and will be undergoing a precautionary MRI on his knee. The team's first-round selection in the 2023 Draft was expected to play a significant role in the interior of their defensive line. However, if the knee issue is limiting him in camp, it may impact his role to start the season, even if nothing serious comes back on the MRI.

The Cowboys selected Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 26th overall.

Dallas adds one of the better pound-for-pound athletes in this class by scooping Smith out of Michigan. Smith was part of dominant defenses during his time in Ann Arbor and gained national notoriety when he was at the top of The Athletic's Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List", which shines a spotlight on college football's top workout warriors. Smith didn't just excel in the weight room, though -- he collapsed pockets and swallowed up running backs over the last two seasons. Getting the 323-pound Smith in the middle of the Dallas defensive line will help free up the Cowboys' athletic linebackers to make plays.