# Randy Gurzi: Gurzi writes that Tyler Smith's thumb surgery will land them on IR to start the season with a return around midseason, that capable backup T.J. Bass will step in along the interior line, and that practice squad lineman Nick Leverett should be elevated for Week 1 and could be added to the active roster.

**Claimed:** Sep 7, 2026
**Pundit:** Randy Gurzi — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/randy-gurzi
**Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/onsi/why-cowboys-fans-shouldn-t-panic-despite-tyler-smith-s-injury

3 checkable claims — 2 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 4 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

1 of 3 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.

Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.

> Smith will be out 4-6 weeks, meaning he will begin the season on the IR.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Nick Leverett to land on the practice squad**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Nick Leverett, Dallas Cowboys
  - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess
- **TJ Bass to be 1st on the depth chart**
  - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: TJ Bass, Dallas Cowboys
  - Verdict: not settled yet
- **Tyler Smith — “will begin the season on the IR, back around midseason”**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Nick Leverett — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/nick-leverett
- Dallas Cowboys — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cowboys
- TJ Bass — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tj-bass
- Tyler Smith — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tyler-smith

## What others said about the same people

- Rich Eisen on Micah Parsons: Eisen expects Myles Garrett to be traded before the draft and says the Browns will then take Abdul Carter with their early first-round pick; they also predict Buffalo will end up paying James Cook and that Micah Parsons will remain a Cowboy and get their money from Dallas, likely late in the process. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c9216871-a4a2-4676-b3d8-2221daa70413 (scored 0)
- Jeff Cavanaugh on Marist Liufau: Building their projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d20c4eda-eab4-4a8c-ba13-0e120fdd7d91 (scored 100)
- Jesse Holley on Marist Liufau: Holley expects Jay Toia to stick on the defensive line, Marist Liufau to make the team as a special teamer, Devin Moore to make the roster, and Joe Milton to be the backup quarterback ahead of Sam Howell. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8ee3ec22-e4c4-4583-826a-c56e4b15f0c5 (scored 100)
- Moe Moton on Marist Liufau: Moton rated Liufau a 9-out-of-10 on their trade probability meter, arguing that with Dallas' crowded edge room they are a long shot to make the 53-man roster and is either a trade or cut candidate. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/80fadb15-ba97-4fde-b3a4-25bf2d8c9b9f (scored 0)
- Pete Prisco on Dallas Cowboys: Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dc43909b-bc7f-47aa-b208-5cf7c95844bc (scored 76.19)
- Jake Arthur on Dallas Cowboys: Arthur predicted the Cowboys would beat the Colts 31-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium, a closer loss than Indianapolis' recent blowouts, citing Dallas' large talent edge offset by its poor defense. They also made several lineup calls for the game and suggested it could be Jonathan Taylor's last home game as a Colt ahead of the trade deadline. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/761f3196-3e96-41ba-8e84-27d80205f0c4 (scored 100)

## More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0)
- Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0)
- Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0)
- Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0)
- Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0)
- Charean Williams on Odell Beckham Jr.: Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d4fd8cfb-3c75-4209-9e1a-d60e821f315b (scored 0)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology

We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us:
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