Video: Cowboys’ Tyler Smith Says Jalen Tolbert ‘Sprained His F–king Nuts’ Before TD

Zach BacharContributor IOctober 7, 2024

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith gave a detailed description of wide receiver Jalen Tolbert’s injury before he scored the go-ahead touchdown during the team’s 20-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.

“Bro, it was miraculous,” Smith told reporters after the game, via Mike Leslie of WFAA Dallas. “JT literally sprained his f–king nuts – excuse me, sorry guys – sprained his nuts the play before. Then comes back, makes the game-winner. Unbelievable.”

Mike Leslie @MikeLeslieWFAATyler Smith on the game-winning touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Jalen Tolbert:

“Bro, it was miraculous. JT literally sprained his f—ing nuts – excuse me, sorry guys – sprained his nuts the play before. Then comes back, makes the game-winner. Unbelievable.” pic.twitter.com/bquG5mCQrH

With Dallas trailing 17-13 and less than 30 seconds left in the game, Dak Prescott found Tolbert for a four-yard touchdown.

NFL @NFLTHE DALLAS COWBOYS!! Dak to Tolbert for 6️⃣!

📺: #DALvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Jg7btATnJO

In addition to the touchdown, Tolbert finished with a team-high 87 yards on seven catches. He was targeted by Prescott on the play before his score, although the pass fell incomplete.

“It was a low ball, I thought I could get underneath it,” Tolbert explained after the game, per Saad Yousuf of The Athletic. “It ended up taking a one-hopper to the private. I couldn’t breathe for a second but once they called a timeout, I knew I had to go back in the game. My team needed me. That’s the moments I work hard for. I wasn’t going to be out in that moment.”

Cowboys star wideout CeeDee Lamb was limited to just 62 yards, leading to Tolbert stepping up against Pittsburgh. The former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has become a solid complementary option in Dallas’ offense this season, averaging a career-high 49.4 yards per game through five weeks.

NFL @NFLDak to Tolbert! The Cowboys are still in this one.

📺: #BALvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/qUPPhuYtDP

Smith is also in the midst of another strong year after earning the first Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2023. He earned an impressive 75.9 grade from Pro Football Focus entering Sunday’s action, allowing zero sacks in 268 snaps.

He’s also been able to stay effective while playing multiple positions on Dallas’ offensive line, sliding from left guard to left tackle against Pittsburgh following an injury to Tyler Guyton.

The Cowboys started the season with a 1-2 record, but they’ve now won two consecutive games and moved into second place in the NFC East due to Tolbert’s touchdown grab on Sunday night.