Cowboys’ OT Steele out for season

Per sources, Cowboys starting right tackle Terence Steele is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. Steele left Sunday’s game versus the Texans late in the first half and did not return.

Josh Ball initially replaced Steele on Sunday. After Ball struggled, he was benched and replaced by Jason Peters. It appears Peters will likely be the starter at right tackle going forward.

Losing Steele hurts the Cowboys; however, getting future Hall of Fame tackle Tyron Smith back should ease the pain. Smith will likely slide back into the left tackle position forcing rookie Tyler Smith to switch positions. This gives Dallas some options, as Smith can play multiple positions along the offensive line. They could move Smith to left guard and bring Connor McGovern back off the bench, or they could move Smith to right tackle and move the veteran Peters to a backup role.

Cowboys’ star guard Zack Martin stressed how much of a loss this is for Dallas going forward.

“It’s a big loss for us, and we’ve got to find a way to rally and fill that spot for him because … I said it last year and said it this year … He’s been our bell cow. So, we’ve got to step up and find a way to fill that hole.”

Steele emerged as a clear starter last season, taking over for La’el Collins. Steele’s performance eventually led to the Cowboys moving on from Collins and giving Steele the permanent starting job.