Two key starters expected to play for Dallas Cowboys against Philadelphia Eagles
As the Dallas Cowboys close in on their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, they are closely monitoring the health of starting left tackle Tyler Guyton and cornerback Trevon Diggs.
As it stands on Wednesday, both are expected to play after logging a full week of practice. Both players are not carrying an injury designation going into the season opener.
“[They’re] trending in the right way,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday. “These things don’t happen overnight.”
Diggs, who was put on season-ending injured reserve and missed six games last season, is coming off a bone chondral surgery in the same left knee that he tore his ACL in 2023. He missed the entirety of training camp but was not put on injured reserve to begin the season, allowing for his availability in Week 1.
Despite rehabbing away from the team this offseason and being docked $500,000 from his 2025 salary as a result, he is expected to hit the field Thursday.
“Trevon is a guy, really truly, when he came back, he started working closely [with] the trainers,” Schottenheimer said. “He just took huge leaps and strides, and I’m so proud of him, the way he’s attacked this injury and how bad he wants to get out there and play. We have to make a decision, is he ready to go? He is certainly pushing to do that.”
A little less than 24 hours after those comments, it’s becoming clearer that Diggs is expected to be available. He could be on a snap count given the ramp-up process to get back to full speed. If he does not play the whole game, expect a combination of the newly acquired Trikweze Bridges and Reddy Steward to get some time.
Tyler Guyton avoided major injury
After suffering a sprained PCL and a bone fracture in his knee in the early portions of training camp, Guyton avoided a torn ACL but missed the rest of training camp. Heading into his second season, not having the additional reps at camp was a tough reality for the young lineman, but the expectation is that he still takes a step forward from his bumpy rookie season a year ago.
“When the thing happened with Guyton we weren’t sure,” Schottenheimer said. “We thought it could be much, much worse. But we also thought this thing could drag on the first couple of weeks [of the season], but these guys have not missed a beat, man.”
If Guyton is on a snap count, expect second-year tackle Nate Thomas to get snaps at left tackle.
With the expectation of both players starting Thursday night, Schottenheimer was effusive in his praise for how they each attacked their rehab processes.
“They’re here all the time,” Schottenheimer said. “On players’ days off, they’re in here getting treatment and they’ve all had the vision of getting back.”
Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford is also expected to play after missing multiple weeks of practice with a high ankle sprain in training camp. Although he did not play in any of the three preseason games, Spann-Ford is expected to take a step forward as a receiving option this season behind Jake Ferguson. He did not have an injury designation on the final practice report.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey left practice early Sunday with what has been described as back tightness, and he has not returned to the practice field. He was ruled out for the season opener on Wednesday afternoon.
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM.
