It goes without saying that the coming 2022 NFL season is exceedingly important for the , and not simply head coach Mike McCarthy. It's also pivotal for several cornerstone players, including All-Pro left tackle , who has had difficulty staying healthy on an annual basis. Unfortunately for Smith, with OTAs now well underway, he's already nursing an i sue the Cowboys are keeping an eye on -- albeit seemingly minor (at least at the moment).The eight-time Pro Bowler mi sed the second day of practice at Drew Hutchison Jersey OTAs due to tightne s in his lower back, McCarthy told media Wednesday, and while he was present the entire day leading up to practice, the team decided to "play it smart" and not push the i sue by forcing him onto the field for drills in late May. The 31-year-old hasn't played a complete regular season since 2015, and recently mi sed all but two games in 2020 due to neck surgery and a high ankle sprain along with a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list cost him six games in 2021.As is often the case, Smith's health will take center stage entering training camp and the regular season. DAL Gleyber Torres Jersey OT #77 The Cowboys are hoping to , a position of dire need, but the first-round pick and Fort Worth native will now certainly get looks at left tackle as well (the position he most often played for Tulsa) with the elder Smith absent this week, along with rookie fifth-round draft pick Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball, the latter entering Year 2 with the club.Smith was joined on the sideline by , the newly signed wide receiver seen wearing a walking boot at OTAs, and the Cowboys are being cautious with his injury as well, J.A. Happ Jersey though not detailing what the exact nature of it is. "I know he won't work next week," said McCarthy. "I can't give you the specifics of that, too. It's not of a serious nature. I'm not worried long-term." IND WR #12 TAR44REC24REC YDs285REC TD2FL0 Washington was brought in during free agency after the team traded four-time Pro Bowl receiver to the and lost their bet that would re-sign in Dallas -- Wilson instead taking his talents to South Beach to join the . Although the re-signing of became that much more paramount following those two lo ses, it's likely he will mi s the start of the season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in Mickey Mantle Jersey 2021; and despite prepping for his new role as WR1 heading into September, the Cowboys' usually deep WR corps was instantly made exceedingly thin.This sets Washington up for what might be a big role on a one-year prove-it deal, but he must first get healthy and then ramp up to compete with a promising talent like rookie wide receiver . But Tolbert himself is nursing what's being described as a minor injury, and isn't expected to take the field this week, either. It's still two months until training camp arrives for the Cowboys, so there's no concern that any of the aforementioned (Gallup notwithstanding) Greg Bird Jersey will mi s any actual games, but the team is already working through some early injury bug bites and, given Smith's i sues with durability and his importance to the team's succe s, it's fair to pay very close attention to his status as OTAs, minicamp and the preseason roll along.