The Dallas Cowboys were able to escape embarrassment in Week 14, barely squeaking by the Houston Texans, 27-23. Dak Prescott led the team on a game-winning drive with 3:20 remaining in the game, going 98 yards after the defense forced a turnover on downs despite Houston starting that drive from the Dallas 4-yard line.

A huge sigh of relief was likely let out by everyone in the organization when the Cowboys held on for a victory, but it certainly didn’t feel like a winning week. Not only were they pushed to the brink by the now 1-11-1 Texans, but the Cowboys also suffered a major injury along their offensive line.

Offensive tackle Terence Steele, who has been playing right tackle, has torn his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. This is a sizable loss for Dallas, as Steele has been performing at a very high level and a long-term building block for the team after going undrafted following his collegiate career at Texas Tech.

Just as the Cowboys were getting healthy along the offensive line, they are now going to have to make adjustments again. Tyron Smith opened up his practice window last week and is getting close to returning to the field. Once he was back in the lineup, it was assumed that he would retake his position at left tackle with Tyler Smith, the team’s first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, kicking inside to guard.

That would have moved Connor McGovern to a role with the second unit, but with the starting right tackle spot now open, another adjustment will need to be made. Tyl. Smith moving over to the right side once Tyr. Smith is set to get back on the field seems like the easiest fix with the fewest moving parts.

Veteran Jason Peters and second-year player Josh Ball could also factor into the mix at right tackle to help fill the void left by Steele’s injury.