The Dallas Cowboys are taking a surprising and exciting approach to replacing injured starter ahead of the 2025 NFL season
What difference a year makes. Nate Thomas is going from being a seventh-round rookie spending his first year in the NFL on Injured Reserve to being the projected Dallas Cowboys starting left tackle for Week 1. Following Tyler Guyton’s bone fracture—which is expected to knock him out for four to six weeks—most fans and media […]
What difference a year makes. Nate Thomas is going from being a seventh-round rookie spending his first year in the NFL on Injured Reserve to being the projected Dallas Cowboys starting left tackle for Week 1.
Following Tyler Guyton’s bone fracture—which is expected to knock him out for four to six weeks—most fans and media members pointed to Asim Richards as the likely “next man up.” Richards rotated with Guyton late last season.
However, it’s been Thomas stealing the show at practice so far. And according to Cowboys VP Stephen Jones, he’ll get the first look.
“One guy I’ll point out—and he’s probably going to run with the ones until we get Tyler back—is Nate Thomas,” Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “He’s having a really good camp for us. He’s exceeded expectations. He’s serious-minded about what he’s doing out there, and the coaches are really liking what they’re seeing from him.”
Thomas was seen as a mauler in the run game coming out of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he started two full seasons at left tackle. As a big-sized, powerful lineman specializing in run blocking, he’s a great fit for offensive coordinator Klayton Adam’s scheme.
If I had to guess what the coaching staff is thinking right now, it’s all about Thomas proving it in pass pro. With pads on in training camp, it’s the perfect time to look into it. Adams said the Cowboys would look at several players ahead of the regular season.
Whoever gets the nod—assuming Guyton can’t go Week 1—will be tested against the talented and deep Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line. For now, it’s all about competing and getting ready for the season at training camp. The Cowboys will play their first preseason game on Aug. 9 against the Los Angeles Rams.