In a devastating hit to the Dallas Cowboys’ offense, one of their cornerstone offensive players already has a bleak chance of playing in Week 13. An already battered offensive line just got more rough news as starting left tackle Tyler Guyton is unlikely to suit up for Thursday’s Thanksgiving showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The rookie standout, a cornerstone of Dallas’s protection scheme, suffered a high ankle sprain in the second half of Sunday’s gritty 24-21 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the Cowboys scrambling for answers ahead of a brutal four-day turnaround. For a Dallas team leaning heavily on its ground-and-pound identity, losing Guyton—a massive weapon in pass protection and run blocking—could expose vulnerabilities against a Chiefs defense hungry for chaos in Arrowhead Stadium.
Tyler Guyton’s High Ankle Sprain: A “Milder” Injury, But Timing Couldn’t Be Worse for Cowboys
Nov 5, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Nov 5, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The injury struck late in the Cowboys’ epic rally from a 21-0 deficit, as Guyton twisted awkwardly while blocking on a crucial drive. Deemed a high ankle sprain—the kind that typically sidelines players for weeks—sources close to the team described it as on the “milder” end of the spectrum. Yet with Dallas facing Kansas City on Thanksgiving, the short week amplifies the setback. Guyton, listed as questionable to return during the Eagles game, never re-entered and limped to the locker room, immediately casting doubt on his availability.
This isn’t the first time the Cowboys have seen Guyton sidelined this season. The former Oklahoma star, drafted 29th overall in April, missed time earlier with a concussion that forced him out of Week 5’s win over the New York Jets. His absence then highlighted Dallas’s O-line depth issues, but Guyton’s return stabilized the unit, allowing quarterback Dak Prescott to operate with cleaner pockets and running back Ezekiel Elliott to churn out 4.2 yards per carry over the last five games. Now, with Guyton doubtful, the Cowboys’ protection—already allowing 2.1 sacks per game (league average)—faces a stern test from Chiefs edge rushers like George Karlaftis and Mike Danna.
Nate Thomas Steps Up: Can the Rookie Plug the Hole Left by Guyton’s Absence?
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) rushes past the block of Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (60) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) rushes past the block of Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (60) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
If Guyton sits, undrafted free agent Nate Thomas is poised for his second career start at left tackle—a role that could make or break Dallas’s offensive rhythm. Thomas filled in admirably during the Eagles game, playing the final 31 snaps and holding Philadelphia’s Josh Sweat to just one pressure. He previously started in Week 5 against the Jets, contributing to a 20-17 victory where the Cowboys rushed for 112 yards. Veteran Hakeem Adeniji, signed midseason from Cincinnati, would back him up, but the inexperience screams risk.
For the Cowboys, this isn’t just about one tackle—it’s a symphony of fragility. Dallas entered Week 12 ranked 18th in pass-block win rate (65.2%) and 22nd in run-block win rate (62.8%), per ESPN metrics. Guyton’s athleticism (6-foot-8, 320 pounds) has been the glue, creating lanes for Elliott’s power runs and giving Prescott the time to dissect secondaries. Losing him means more blitzes from Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, potentially forcing Prescott into 3.1-second release windows—his quickest this year. “The O-line’s our engine,” one Cowboys insider noted anonymously. “Without Guyton firing on all cylinders, the whole machine sputters.”
Thanksgiving Stakes Skyrocket: Cowboys’ Playoff Push Hangs on O-Line Resilience
Dallas (5-6) heads into Arrowhead as underdogs, desperate for a signature win to claw back into the NFC East race. A victory over the 7-4 Chiefs—led by Patrick Mahomes’ wizardry—could ignite a late surge, especially with a favorable December slate including the Lions on Dec. 4. But Guyton’s potential absence echoes the Cowboys’ 2024 woes, when O-line injuries contributed to a 3-4 skid. Coach Mike McCarthy’s walk-through practices this week will be crucial, testing Thomas’s mettle without overtaxing the roster.
Fans in Big D are already buzzing with concern. “Guyton’s our blindside anchor—Chiefs will feast if he’s out,” tweeted one Cowboys diehard, capturing the dread rippling through Dallas Nation. Prescott, ever the optimist, downplayed the injury post-Eagles but admitted the line’s health is non-negotiable: “We rally around whoever steps up. That’s Dallas Cowboys football.”
As Thanksgiving turkey carves, the Cowboys must feast on resilience. Losing Tyler Guyton stings like a last-second interception, but in the NFC’s meat grinder, adaptation is survival. Will Thomas rise to the occasion, or will Kansas City turn Dallas’s weapon into weakness? The gridiron waits.
References
ESPN. “Sources: Cowboys LT Tyler Guyton (ankle) likely out vs. Chiefs.” November 24, 2025. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47086693/sources-cowboys-lt-tyler-guyton-ankle-likely-vs-chiefs
ESPN Metrics (pass-block and run-block win rates, as cited in the article).
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