Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton Skyrockets Up NFL Draft Boards After Standout Season Opener

The Dallas Cowboys received a much-needed boost ahead of Thursday’s prime-time opener against the Philadelphia Eagles: rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton has been removed from the injury report and is cleared to start after rehabbing a late-July knee fracture that initially threatened to sideline him into October. Why Guyton’s return matters Selected 29th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Guyton was hand-picked to protect quarterback Dak Prescott’s blind side following the departure of Tyron Smith. In limited rookie snaps before the injury, Guyton allowed zero sacks and posted an 86.3 pass-block grade, validating pre-draft scouting reports that praised his quick feet and 34-inch arm length. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer admitted this week that “mixing reps for a corner is easier than for a left tackle,” underscoring how critical a healthy Guyton is to the playbook. Match-up to watch: Tyler Guyton vs Jalen Carter Philadelphia deploys 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jalen Carter predominantly over the left A-gap, forcing Guyton to handle both speed-to-power moves and stunts designed to collapse Prescott’s pocket. If the former Oklahoma Sooner can anchor early, Dallas will be able to unleash its redesigned deep-shot package featuring CeeDee Lamb and newcomer George Pickens. Conversely, a hobbled Guyton would invite the Eagles’ exotic blitzes that ranked top-five in pressure rate last season. Health timeline and workload plan Guyton fractured the top of his tibia on July 27 during joint practices with the Chargers. The medical staff opted against surgery after imaging showed his ACL was intact, setting a six-week recovery window. Coaches eased him back with limited reps in Monday’s padded practice before giving him the green light following a pain-free Wednesday walkthrough. Expect Dallas to rotate veteran swing tackle Matt Waletzko for a few series, but the plan is for Guyton to take the majority of snaps. Ripple effect on the offense • Run game: Guyton’s 84-inch wingspan creates natural cut-back lanes for newly acquired running back Javonte Williams, who averaged 5.8 yards per carry running behind left tackle in preseason action. • Play-action: With Prescott returning from a hamstring tear, establishing early protection is paramount; Dallas called play-action on 32 percent of snaps with its starting LT last year versus just 18 percent without. • Penalties: Guyton committed only one false start during his final college season split between TCU and Oklahoma, a welcome stat for a unit that finished 27th in pre-snap penalties in 2024. Locker-room reaction “Seeing Tyler back in the huddle lifts everybody,” Prescott said. “When your blind-side guy is confident, you’re confident.” Cornerback Trevon Diggs, also cleared after knee surgery, added, “We both attacked rehab together—now we attack Philly together.” What’s next Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field. If Guyton withstands the Eagles’ vaunted front, he not only cements himself as Dallas’s long-term cornerstone but positions the Cowboys to start 1-0 in a season where owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that “anything short of a deep playoff run is unacceptable.” Search interest in “Tyler Guyton injury update,” “Tyler Guyton Eagles,” and “Tyler Guyton Dallas Cowboys left tackle” has surged this week, and a strong debut could keep his name trending well beyond Week 1.