Perhaps the key to unlocking the full potential of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line is getting 2024 first round pick Tyler Guyton to play up to his potential — not an easy task considering he’s been injured for the last few weeks.
Guyton suffered a bone fracture in his knee at the end of July that was projected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks but, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Guyton has already begun doing walk-thru work at practice.
““The slow speed stuff, because he needs that mentally to kinda stay prepared,” Schottenheimer told The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “He’s doing well. Not putting a timeline on it, but I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve seen from him. “The intensity that he’s attacking the rehab and the way he’s working is not normal for a second-year player. I’m very proud of him for that.”
That might mean there’s an outside chance Guyton could be back for the Cowboys season opener on Thursday Night Football on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on September 4.
“The Dallas Cowboys dodged a major injury concern when an MRI revealed left tackle Tyler Guyton did not suffer a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Monday’s practice,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on July 28. “He sustained a bone fracture and is looking at a recovery of four to six weeks but will not require surgery, according to a source.”
Guyton Called ‘Weak Link’ On Offensive Line
Yahoo Sports NFL reporter Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz put Guyton on his list of “Nine NFL Players Who Need To Step Up After Rough Rookie Years” before the start of training camp.
Guyton, 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, was the No. 29 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft out of Oklahoma and signed a 4-year, $13.15 million rookie contract.
“A rough transition to the professional level seemed inevitable for Guyton … who offered an enticing package of athleticism but lacked the refinement to engender much trust as a rookie as he flipped from right tackle to the left side,” Middlehurst-Schwarts wrote. “The No. 29 overall pick started 11 games for the Cowboys and proved to be a weak link for the line, committing 18 penalties while struggling mightily against in both pass protection and run blocking.”
Guyton One Of NFL’s Worst As Rookie
There weren’t many NFL offensive tackles worst than Guyton in 2024, when he registered an anemic, 49.4 overall grade from PFF. That ranked him 115th out of 140 eligible players at his position.
The 2024 draft became known for its record run on offensive picks, with the first 14 picks all offensive players. Guyton was the last of 8 offensive linemen selected one of 6 offensive tackles.
According to PFF’s overall grades, Guyton was the worst of the 8 rookies and the only one who graded in the 40s. Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt, the No. 5 overall pick, was the best with a 77.6 overall grade.
In 2025, for the third time in 4 years, the Cowboys used their first round pick on an offensive lineman, taking Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 overall pick.
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