FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys couldn't finish the final practice before Friday night's final preseason game soon enough.

For late in Wednesday night's practice out here at Ford Center, Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith went down in a heap without any physical contact taking place, the following MRI revealing a torn hamstring tendon at the knee in need of surgery.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, appearing on ESPN's _First Take_ live on set at The Star's outdoor plaza, confirmed the seriousness of the injury, saying, "It's a setback . . . but you got to take what you're dealt and go on with it."

Though the Cowboys have made no official announcement of the injury, this would leave them with just 17 days before the Sept. 11 season opener against Tampa Bay searching for answers at starring left tackle, knowing none of their current roster choices have any NFL experience at left tackle, with the exception of Terence Steele starting three games last year, though he is the starting right tackle where he is better suited to play.

And now this is where things get more complicated. The Cowboys have first-round draft choice Tyler Smith competing for the starting left guard job with fourth-year lineman Connor McGovern. With Tyler Smith out the past two practices nursing a sore ankle, McCarthy said of the competition while pointing out no final decision has been made, that "if we started today, Connor would start."

OK, but now, how about Tyler Smith moving a few steps to his left working as the starting left tackle, his natural position and where he played in college? Certainly a possibility, though McCarthy pointing out he'd still like to play McGovern 10-12 snaps at fullback. OK, but then who's at left guard if Tyler Smith is at left tackle? McCarthy also has McGovern taking snaps at center, searching for a backup there, and points out McGovern was to start at center Friday night

Oh, to further complicate things, the Cowboys basically have two draft choices currently competing for the backup swing tackle job who might have to now be starting candidates, too, last year's fourth-round pick Josh Ball and this year's fifth-round pick Matt Waletzko. Of Ball, McCarthy said after Tuesday's practice, "He has grown each week."

And then Waletzko, looking good Tuesday and Wednesday returning to pads after missing the last three weeks with a shoulder injury, McCarthy saying he is ready for some snaps Friday night, the Cowboys hoping they can delay the surgery he seemingly eventually will need.

All these questions in need of answers.

But after seeing Tyron go down, this becomes unquestionable: Absolutely for sure Dak Prescott ain't playing Friday in that final preseason game against Seattle. In fact, they might go sit him in a suite so no one runs into hm on the sideline.

No preseason game snaps for your quarterback? Well, let's remember Dak didn't play in any preseason games last year out of an abundance of caution following his recovery from ankle surgery and a sore shoulder, yet came out to throw for 403 yards three touchdowns, one pick, with a 101.4 QB rating in the opener against Tampa Bay, the Cowboys putting up 29 points.

As for other head scratchers . . . .

The competition for the backup quarterback job between Cooper Rush and Will Grier is on. Head coach Mike McCarthy says of Grier, "We want to see as much of him as possible."

As for how soon wide receiver Michael Gallup might be available to play coming back from his February ACL surgery and missing all of training camp, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, "We don't want to put him in any sort of category that wouldn't get him to the first game," which sounds like the Cowboys might not start him off on PUP, which if they did would mean he must miss the first four games.

As for rookie Jalen Tolbert, McCarthy said of his Tuesday night workout at Ford Center, "I thought Jalen had his best practice last night."

And as for Micah Parsons' competitive motor, McCarthy said after watching his Tuesday practice performance "He doesn't have an off switch," and tell you what, the way he practiced on Wednesday he was even giving Tyron Smith a hard time.

That prompted McCarthy to say of Parsons over-the-top practice Tuesday, "He emptied the bucket. He had a big night."

And finally, and no one had to say this, but from my view, I'll take this shot, saying KaVontae Turpin had two of his better practices as a receiver in both of these Ford Center workouts.

And for the final word, let's go back to Connor McGovern talking about how he has become the everywhere man for all the positions he has worked at, having played both guard spots, now a little center, and knows he can probably play tackle, too.

"In high school I only played center," McGovern began reciting his resume. "In college I played center and right guard. And when I got here, what, did I play eight or nine positions last year?

"Last year I was backup for all five (including both tackle positions), then tight end, fullback and even wide receiver a little bit (lined up wide.) But this year, knowing I'm at left guard but knowing I had to backup everyone and go where I'm needed."

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