The Dallas Cowboys may have started the countdown on Tyler Guyton’s time as their starting left tackle. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s announcement of a camp battle between Guyton and swing tackle Nate Thomas didn’t come out of nowhere; this has been an ongoing issue in Dallas and a message for Guyton. The organization is willing to move on from their starting left tackle if he’s unable to stay healthy for a full season.
And this wasn’t the first sign. Before camp began, Dallas had already been setting itself up for life after Guyton. Drafting left tackle Drew Shelton in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The club immediately began showering him with praise, despite his never having taken an NFL snap, with one voice inside the organization saying, “Only so few humans can play tackle in the NFL, and he’s one of them.”
That’s the same kind of praise the Cowboys gave Guyton when he was drafted, but that was under a different coaching staff, one that believed he was the future. Those sponsors are gone, and Guyton is working under new management.
Now, Guyton finds himself surrounded by competition. Thomas is pushing him right now, while Shelton develops, waiting for his chance as the long-term replacement. But his biggest challenge isn’t on the depth chart; it’s his health. Availability has been the biggest factor holding Guyton back, and in the NFL, that matters more than anything.
Guyton has missed nine games in his first two seasons. In 2024, he had an undisclosed health issue, which caused him to miss one game. He also suffered from shoulder and knee injuries, causing him to miss two more games during his rookie campaign. Last season wasn’t any better. He would miss the majority of training camp due to a knee bone fracture, return during the season, where he would suffer a concussion and exit one game, before missing the final six games with a high ankle sprain.
Unfortunately for Guyton, as the saying goes, the best ability is availability, and new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley appear to have put Guyton on notice. Essentially saying prove it or be replaced. Right now, he’s yet to prove he can stay healthy over the past two seasons, and the Cowboys are clearly preparing themselves for another Guyton injury. Thomas gets valuable snaps at left tackle in camp; Shelton isn’t rushed, so he can adapt to the speed and physicality in the NFL, waiting until his time comes.
Because if Guyton can’t change the narrative, it looks like Dallas won’t hesitate to move on. Possibly looking to trade, or even release him with a label every player fears, and teams shy away from: injury-prone.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys greasing skids to move 1st-round pick out starting lineup
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
