Reports from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo indicated that Tomlinson remained in Texas to join the Cowboys after spending the previous season with Houston. With left tackle Tyler Smith sidelined for four to six weeks due to a thumb injury, Tomlinson was brought in to add depth as the team prepared for the start of the season.
Tomlinson is one of two offensive linemen the Cowboys added on the same day. He joined Nick Leverett on the active roster, bringing extensive starting experience to the unit. Over his career, Tomlinson has started 162 games, including seven starts last season with Houston.
At 34 years old, Tomlinson appeared in seven games for the Texans and played in 10 total contests during the 2025 regular season. His career earnings exceed $58 million, and he signed with Houston in free agency during the 2025 offseason on a one-year, $4.2 million deal. By mid-December, Houston had moved on from Tomlinson as part of a broader overhaul of the offensive line.
The Texans also reshaped their offensive line heading into the new season, reducing the likelihood of a return. The Cowboys will face Houston later in the season, adding an extra layer of narrative to the matchup.
This development marks another chapter in Tomlinson’s extensive NFL tenure, as he continues to contribute veteran depth along the line of scrimmage for a playoff-contending Dallas squad.
