With Chuma Edoga out several weeks, time is now for Cowboys top pick Tyler Guyton at LT
Dallas veteran left tackle Chuma Edoga will be out several weeks after suffering a significant toe injury in the Cowboys’ 13-12 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Surgery is a consideration.
It’s a huge setback for Edoga and the Cowboys depth at left tackle.
But the injury clears the path for top draft pick Tyler Guyton to open the season as the team’s starting left tackle.
The Cowboys selected Guyton in the firstr ound of the 2024 NFL draft as the targeted replacement for eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, who is now with the New York Jets after Dallas let him walk in free agency due to age and injury concerns.
Because he was a veteran, the Cowboys opened training camp with Edoga working primarily with the first team in practice while trying to bring Guyton along slowly.
Guyton also missed missed three days in practice last week with an illness.
He was on a play count against the Rams and got only 21 snaps.
Guyton certainly passed the eye test in his limited action against the Rams.
His elevation to the first team was inevitable.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Guyton will work with the first team now.
“We just want to keep moving forward with him,” McCarthy said. “Thought he had good snaps in the game. But obviously, young player, just just as needs as many reps as possible.”
“Tyler, I thought he played well in the game,” McCarthy said. “He’s definitely very comfortable. You can you can see his natural skill, as far as hands and his feet. His athletic really stands out. He just needs reps, the fundamentals, the techniques and obviously, the time that he missed is probably really the only setback. So with the available opportunities in front of him, this something I know he’ll take full advantage of.”
Cooper Beebe to get starting reps at center
Guyton is not the only rookie draft getting an opportunity with the first team going forward.
McCarthy said center Cooper Beebe, picked in the third round of Kansas City, will starting working some with the starters this week.
Beebe played guard in college and his making the transition to center with the Cowboys.
Brock Hoffman has worked with the starters throughout the offseason and the first three weeks of training camp.
But with Tyler Biadasz, the starter the past three seasons, gone to the Washington Commanders in free agency, center expected to come down to a training camp battle between Hoffman and Beebe.
Hoffman has one career start.
Beebe has the bigger upside.
And his play has been rising since the start of camp.
“Obviously, he has great contact balance,” McCarthy said. “He’s a natural in there. The biggest thing is just the snapping and all the mechanics and and that’s gotten better. Didn’t have any issues in the game. He’s just raw. But very impressed with he’s what he’s put on tape.”
This story was originally published August 13, 2024 at 2:04 PM.
