Laken Tomlinson, a former starting guard for the Seattle Seahawks, has been signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad just before the start of the 2026 NFL season. This move comes as the Cowboys seek to fill the gap left by Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who will start the season on injured reserve.
Tomlinson, a first-round draft pick in 2015, has extensive experience in the league, having played 173 games and started 162 of them for teams including the Lions, 49ers, Jets, Seahawks, and Texans. He started all 17 games for the Seahawks in the 2024 season, which was Mike Macdonald's inaugural year as head coach.
After playing for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens last season, Tomlinson had not been on an NFL roster since the end of the Ravens' 2025 campaign in January. The Cowboys are adding him to provide veteran depth and experience as they navigate Smith's absence, which could last 4-6 weeks according to reports.
With the current practice squad rules, Tomlinson may be promoted to the active roster on game days, allowing him a chance to play even if he is not listed on the main roster. However, it remains unclear if he will be activated for the Cowboys' Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, which is scheduled to take place in just a few days.
