July 27, 2023; Oxnard, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard TJ Bass (66) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With surprise starts in place of the injured Tyler Smith and Zack Martin, TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman enjoyed standout days at guard against the Commanders in Week 12. Bass showed that he is one of the best reserve guards in the NFL, and Hoffman showed that he is not only a center option, but also a special player next door at guard.
Bass seemed to be Martin's heir for a long time, so his good performance wasn't all that surprising. He may never develop into a Pro Bowl lineman, but he appears fully capable of earning the average-to-above-average spot should the opportunity arise in 2025.
What came out of nowhere was Hoffman's play. After a disappointing training camp and preparation, Hoffman fell somewhat out of the picture. That suddenly changed in Week 12, when Hoffman physically dominated his opponents . Was it just a blip on the radar or is Hoffman suddenly a viable starting option in the future?
It's unknown if Smith and/or Martin will play on Thursday, but if they can't play, this would be a great opportunity for their replacements to show they're for real.
