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. But what he has to do is be more consistent. That great play I described where he's getting his second step in the dirt and fish-hooking the center and he's basically destroying the line of scrimmage, that's got to be the standard. Not the, 'Okay, I did that,' and for two plays I'm not holding the point as strong as I need to." Smith may get his last chance to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster in Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Returns to action
Rotowire
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.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Takes on bigger role in year two
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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 rushing yards in the league.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Active Sunday
Rotowire
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).
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: True game-time decision
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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.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Listed as questionable for Week 3
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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 any defensive stats.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Healthy again
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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.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Does not travel
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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.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Seeing first-team reps
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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.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Recovered from shoulder injury
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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 is set to potentially see a significant increase in the 287 snaps he logged on defense in his 2023 rookie campaign during the upcoming season.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Rehabbing from shoulder surgery
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Smith is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for training camp, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Smith underwent the surgery shortly after the end of the 2023 season, and a four-to-six month recovery timeline puts him 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.
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Cowboys' Mazi Smith: Doing just fine
Rotowire
Smith (knee) returned to practice Wednesday.
Smith had been dealing with knee tendinitis and underwent a precautionary MRI, which didn't reveal anything additional. His ability to return to practice quickly should be good news for the rookie and the Cowboys' defensive line.
