Latest update on Tyler Guyton's injury changes everything for the Dallas Cowboys and shoves young backup into spotlight
When reports emerged on Tyler Guyton being feared to have suffered a torn ACL, my immediate reaction was to write about how it was time to talk about Tyler Smith kicking out to left tackle to replace him, an idea I was strongly against before the injury. Since then, things have changed drastically: The fear […]
When reports emerged on Tyler Guyton being feared to have suffered a torn ACL, my immediate reaction was to write about how it was time to talk about Tyler Smith kicking out to left tackle to replace him, an idea I was strongly against before the injury.
Since then, things have changed drastically: The fear of losing Guyton for the year was just that. Irrational fear. Minutes later, ESPN's Todd Archer bore the good news: The Cowboys left tackle's ACL is intact.
Instead, it's a bone fracture that will knock out Guyton for approximately four to six weeks, per the report. Naturally, that changes everything for the Cowboys. Obviously, with the regular season opener still over a month away, it's not worth messing with Tyler Smith's development by moving him to tackle for the sake of one or two regular season games. That's a dangerous game of musical chairs that helps no one.
Now that we know Guyton's absence will be short-lived, the Cowboys can bet on Smith to stay put at left guard. So, who is the next man up to protect Dak Prescott's blindside?
Asim Richards shoved into the spotlight
Third-year offensive tackle and former fifth-round draft pick Asim Richards has been a decent backup for the Cowboys at left tackle, and he's continued to stack promising reps in training camp this year. Last season, he even rotated with Guyton at left tackle as the latter dealt with rookie struggles.
Assuming the Cowboys miss Guyton for the first two weeks of the season, Richards would face daunting tests: Philadelphia Eagles edge rushers Nolan Smith and Moro Ojomo won't be easy to handle, nor will New York Giants' Brian Burns and Abdul Carter.
Brian Schottenheimer and his coaching staff will have to come up with a creative pass protection game plan that heavily helps Richards to keep Prescott's jersey clean. In a way, it will be a reminder of last year's scheming from Mike McCarthy when the Cowboys had to match up Guyton in his first-ever NFL game against Myles Garrett.
Fortunately, the Cowboys have plenty of time to go to the drawing board. As for Richards, training camp just got immensely more important.