The Dallas Cowboys faced a significant scare recently when starting offensive tackle Tyler Guyton sustained a leg injury initially feared to be a torn ACL. However, subsequent evaluations revealed the injury to be a bone fracture, with an estimated recovery timeline of 4 to 6 weeks.

Guyton, who was the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, started in 15 games last season. His first year in the NFL was marked by ups and downs as he transitioned from the right side in college to left tackle for the Cowboys. Additionally, Guyton dealt with knee and shoulder injuries during his rookie campaign. His performance included a total of 18 penalties, and he was ranked 62nd in Pro Football Focus's pass-blocking grades, with a concerning 6.5 percent pressure rate and a 1.5 percent sack rate. Reflecting on his performance, Guyton expressed a desire to improve in May, stating, 'I didn't do too good last year. I want to do better. I want to be a guy that can be depended on.'

Heading into the 2025 season, optimism surrounded Guyton's development, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer praising his offseason efforts. 'He's having a terrific offseason,' Schottenheimer noted in June. 'He's working his ass off. He looks great.' The Cowboys made several strategic moves in the offseason, including acquiring wide receiver George Pickens and drafting offensive lineman Tyler Booker to bolster the right guard position. While quarterback Dak Prescott's injury concerns represented a significant challenge to the offense in 2024, the performance of the offensive line also warranted attention. With expectations for improvement from both Guyton and Booker, the team felt the pressure to ensure a strong line of protection. A torn ACL for Guyton would have created a substantial need at left tackle; however, with the injury not being season-ending, the Cowboys will now look to internal options such as Asim Richards, Hakeem Adeniji, Matt Waletzko, and Ajani Cornelius as potential short-term replacements.