Andrew Whitworth is inundated with texts BEGGING him to join Cowboys after Tyron Smith injury
Retired Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth says he has been inundated with calls from friends and Cowboys fans to sign in Dallas after ‘America’s Team’ lost star offensive lineman Tyron Smith to a severe leg injury.
In a sideline interview during Thursday night’s preseason matchup between San Francisco and Houston, the 40-year-old Super Bowl champion expressed his disappointment for Smith, who is likely out until December. Whitworth also revealed sudden calls for him to make a comeback in Dallas.
‘I mean, obviously, there’s been some things with the Cowboys and losing Tyron Smith,’ Whitworth said. ‘It’s just an awful deal. Such a great player, and a guy I’ve always just loved watching play.’
As Whitworth explained, the decision ultimately rests with his wife, Melissa, and their four children.
‘It’s been a busy day of answering calls,’ he continued. ‘The problem is they’re calling and texting the wrong person. They need to be texting and calling Melissa Whitworth and the kids, because they have final approval on whether I’m ever going to play football again.’
Retired Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth says he has been inundated with calls from friends and Cowboys fans to sign in Dallas after ‘America’s Team’ lost star offensive lineman Tyron Smith to a severe leg injury. However, Whitworth says he needs to defer to his wife, Melissa (left) and their four children on any comeback talk
Whitworth (pictured left with children Sarah, Andrew and Katherine) won a Super Bowl in February, when his Rams defeated his former team , the Cincinnati Bengals
Even in his late 30s, Whitworth remained one of the most reliable left tackles in all of football
Later, following a Pro Football Talk report claiming the Cowboys had reached out to Whitworth directly, the former All-Pro tweeted that it was just ‘friends and fans’ reaching out to him.
‘Not what I said,’ Whitworth tweeted. ‘I said I answered calls and text from people all day since the injury. Begging me to go to the cowboys! Thx.’
Whitworth was a member of the Rams’ first Super Bowl title team last season and was also named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year. Previously he played 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, whom he helped defeat in Super Bowl LVI last February.
Smith suffered a gruesome hamstring injury during Wednesday’s practice when the muscle ruptured and reportedly detached from the bone. The 31-year-old left tackle, and quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind-side defender, will reportedly undergo surgery Friday, potentially sidelining Smith for months and jeopardizing the Cowboys’ Super Bowl aspirations.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the hamstring not only tore, but actually came off the bone.
Smith suffered the injury during 11-on-11 drills Wednesday night when he was run blocking against teammate and Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Without much contact, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Smith was seen crumpling to the turf and holding his left leg in obvious pain.
Oft-injured Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith is likely out until December following surgery
The team initially said on its website Smith had a knee injury and an MRI was planned. ESPN, citing unidentified sources, later reported the 31-year-old had a torn hamstring.
The eight-time Pro Bowler has been hampered mostly by back, neck and shoulder injuries in recent years. Smith has missed at least three games each season since 2016, including a career-low two games in 2020 before season-ending neck surgery.
The Cowboys were counting on Smith and five-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin as the anchors on an offensive line that is young at the other three spots.
If Smith misses significant time, rookie first-round pick Tyler Smith could replace him. Tyler Smith has been working at left guard but was the starting left tackle at Tulsa. He missed both practices this week with an ankle injury.
Josh Ball, a fourth-round pick last year, has replaced Tyron Smith at times during training camp this year. Ball missed all of his rookie season with an ankle injury.
The defending NFC East champs, who lost a wild-card game at home to San Francisco in January, open the season at home Sept. 11 against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cowboys fans have grown accustomed to injuries undermining their Super Bowl hopes
