Cowboys Claim Starter's Absence in Week 6 Wasn't Due to Benching
By Jovan Alford
Heading into Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t start rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton, who was active for the Week 6 contest.
Guyton suffered a knee injury in Dallas’ Week 5 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not return to the game. However, the rookie offensive lineman did not miss a single practice leading into Sunday’s home game against the Lions.
With Guyton not starting, the Cowboys went with Tyler Smith at left tackle and TJ Bass at left guard, per Cowboys sideline reporter Kristi Scales.
Pre-game news from @KristiCowboy.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) October 13, 2024
Tyler Smith will start at LT w/ TJ Bass at LG. Rookie Tyler Guyton is active but won’t start.
Rookie Marist Liafau will wear the green dot & call defense w/ veteran Eric Kendricks out.
After the Cowboys lost 47-9 to the Lions, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about Guyton’s absence. According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, McCarthy said the rookie offensive tackle sitting today was for health reasons.
Mike McCarthy said Tyler Guyton sitting today was health related. When the Cowboys subbed Tyler Smith out Asim Richards took over at left tackl.e
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 14, 2024
McCarthy added that when the Cowboys subbed out Smith, Asim Richards took over at left tackle.
The Cowboys likely hope Guyton is ready to play in two weeks as he’ll have the tough challenge of potentially blocking Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd.
The former Oklahoma standout lineman has struggled noticeably in his adjustment to the pro game. According to Pro Football Focus, Guyton has allowed 13 pressures and four sacks. He also has a 49 pass protection grade and a 52.5 run blocking grade.
Nonetheless, the Cowboys hope the bye will help Guyton and the rest of the team as they got hammered at home and are sitting in third place in the NFC East (3-3).
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