Mazi Smith: Everything you need to know

The Cowboys traded Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick to the Jets for DT Quinnen Williams on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. A 2023 first-round pick, Smith wasn't able to live up to the billing, finishing his two-plus-year tenure in Dallas with 57 tackles, including 2.0 sacks, in 39 regular-season games. He'll join a rotation at defensive tackle in New York that includes Harrison Phillips, Jay Tufele (knee) and Jowon Briggs.

Smith is active for Sunday's contest against the Commanders. Smith has played inconsistently this season, but he will now be active for his fourth contest of the year. The defensive lineman has compiled just one tackle to this point in the season, playing 50 snaps on defense and 15 with the special-teams unit.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Eagles. The 2023 first-rounder started in all 17 regular-season games last year, but he was in jeopardy of not making the Cowboys' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. While he ultimately made the cut, Smith will be a healthy scratch Thursday, with Week 2 against the Giants on Sunday, September 14 being his next chance to play. Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia will serve in a rotational role at defensive tackle behind starters Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark.