gs. Code Red in Dallas Cowboys: The Unthinkable Has Happened to a Cowboys Star, and the Timing Couldn’t Be Worse – Before Week 8
Just as the Dallas Cowboys were starting to regain their footing with a healthier roster and some momentum heading into Week 8, a new injury has thrown a wrench into their plans. Left tackle Tyler Guyton, a key piece of the offensive line, was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a glute injury. This unexpected setback puts his availability for Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos in serious doubt, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Guyton, the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2024, has had a rough go of it this season. Already banged up with a knee injury during training camp, a shoulder issue in mid-September, and a concussion that forced him to miss the Week 5 win over the Jets, this new glute injury adds to his challenging year. According to CBS’s Garrett Podell on Twitter/X, Guyton was the only new addition to the Cowboys’ injury report, listed as limited, while the rest of the team’s report remained unchanged from Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are nearly at full strength, with both of their listed players fully practicing.
If Guyton is unable to play or is limited, the Cowboys’ offensive line could be in for a rough day. Guyton is tasked with protecting quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind side against one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, Denver’s Nik Bonitto, who ranks third in the league with eight sacks. Guyton’s performance this season has been underwhelming, with 16 hurries allowed, four penalties, and a Pro Football Focus grade of 48.0, placing him 68th out of 77 NFL tackles. Facing Bonitto while potentially less than 100% is a daunting prospect for the second-year player, who has struggled to find his footing since his rookie season.
Guyton isn’t the only Cowboy dealing with health concerns. The team’s injury report lists several key players as limited, including offensive lineman Tyler Smith (knee), cornerback Shavon Revel, and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Donovan Wilson were both listed as out with a concussion and another unspecified injury, respectively. On a brighter note, Caelen Carson, Jonathan Mingo, Kenneth Murray, and Mazi Smith were full participants in practice, signaling their likely availability for Sunday.
Despite the challenges, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory. With a tough road game in Denver looming, he believes the team is starting to find its rhythm. “Overall, I feel like, hopefully, we are finding our stride,” Schottenheimer said. “No one cares where we are today, that doesn’t matter. What matters is where we are in January.” Drawing on wisdom from his father, Marty Schottenheimer, he emphasized the importance of fundamentals as the season progresses. “A wise old coach with bobble glasses used to talk about, you have to focus on fundamentals more in late October, November, December because most teams don’t,” he noted.
Schottenheimer also stressed the importance of perspective, reminding the team to stay focused after their recent win. “The world didn’t end when we lost to Carolina. You start a new week. We got the win, we played good, and now we are on to Denver.”
The Cowboys face a formidable challenge in Denver, and Guyton’s uncertain status only adds to the stakes. A weakened offensive line could spell trouble against a Broncos defense led by Bonitto’s relentless pass rush. As Dallas aims to build momentum heading into the latter half of the season, they’ll need to navigate this latest injury hurdle and hope their key players can step up. For now, all eyes are on Guyton and whether he can suit up—or hold his own—against one of the NFL’s best.
