Getty Images

Cowboys guard La’el Collins opted not to have surgery immediately after injuring his big toe in September in hopes that resting it would make it possible to return to the field without having an operation.

Those hopes have gone unrealized. During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that Collins will have the surgery and be placed on injured reserve as a result.

Jones said, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, that “doctors thought it would be better long-term to have surgery,” which means that Collins will miss at least the next eight weeks and potentially the rest of the season as he recovers.

Ronald Leary has stepped back into the lineup at left guard in Collins’ place. The Cowboys have also played without left tackle Tyron Smith for the last two games as he deals with a bulging disk in his back.