Heading into the season, most pundits assumed the Dallas Cowboys would be back in the postseason. With a young core headed by Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, as well as stars like left tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Sean Lee, Dallas appeared poised to contend again in 2017.

However, injuries to Smith and Lee, as well as departures from the secondary and Elliott's suspension, have made the Cowboys' path quite turbulent. Dallas has dropped their last two games without Smith, Lee, and Elliott in the lineup, and with a short week ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thanksgiving, it seemed unlikely that Lee or Smith would return.

Luckily, it appears that the four-time All-Pro tackle will take the field on Thursday.

From Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News:

LT Tyron Smith (back/groin) tells me he expects to be ready to play Thursday.

This is incredible news for a Cowboys team in need of a victory against L.A. to keep their playoff hopes alive in a crowded NFC race at 5-5. Prescott has been under pressure unlike any other time in his brief NFL career without Smith protecting his blind side, enduring eight sacks against the Atlanta Falcons before one of the worst performances of his career against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.

It's not a guarantee Tyron will play yet, though. Head coach Jason Garrett wouldn't confirm if Smith will be active, telling Hairopoulos that Smith and kicker Dan Bailey's statuses have yet to be determined.