The Dallas Cowboys are eight practices into training camp, but none as big as the one coming up on Tuesday. The team is hitting the road from Oxnard to Woodland Hills, Los Angeles for a joint practice with the Rams.

And it’s an even bigger day for Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton, who is still working to cement his spot as the starting left tackle. Guyton will face a familiar foe who happens to be one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers: Myles Garrett. 

That matchup could go a long way toward determining the Cowboys’ offensive line plans for 2026.

Schottenheimer’s plan elevates joint practice significance

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer made it clear earlier in training camp that he does not plan to play starters in the preseason. He indicated the Cowboys divide players into four groups, one of which is the “A+” tier, and those players will not see a single preseason snap. That approach mirrors what Dallas did under Schottenheimer last year and under Mike McCarthy before him.

Given Guyton’s injury history and the priority the organization has placed on keeping him healthy, it’s reasonable to expect he falls into that group. And if Guyton won’t play in preseason games, Tuesday’s joint practice against the Rams becomes the most important evaluation opportunity of training camp.

Garrett returned to practice last week after missing the start of training camp. Though it’s unclear how much and where he will line up in practice, he’ll likely get reps against Guyton. Poetically, the two have history (more on that later). 

Guyton still working to earn the job

Schottenheimer seemingly walked back earlier comments that suggested Guyton had already won the left tackle battle. The coaching staff wants him to earn it. Nate Thomas still needs to prove more, according to the coaches, in order to make it an active competition, but Guyton remains the clear frontrunner.

Here’s the thing about Tuesday: Guyton and Garrett have history. Garrett was the first star edge rusher Guyton faced in regular season action. When Guyton made his NFL debut in Week 1 of 2024 against the Cleveland Browns, then-head coach Mike McCarthy built a game plan that gave Guyton significant help in pass protection. The Cowboys rolled out Dak Prescott, sprinted him out, and provided consistent double teams with running backs and tight ends chipping on Garrett’s side.

The help worked. But the question now is whether Guyton can handle a pass rusher of Garrett’s caliber without the training wheels and after two seasons’ worth of experience. If the Rams line Garrett up against the left side and Guyton holds his own, his position as the starting left tackle gets solidified in a way that practice reps against teammates simply cannot replicate.

Cowboys’ pass protection remains a top concern

Guyton has looked great in camp so far over in Oxnard, California, but the Cowboys know the stakes are higher than a strong training camp showing. Pass protection remains one of the biggest concerns on offense heading into the 2026 season.

Dallas had one of the better offensive units in the NFL in 2025, thanks in large part to Prescott, CeeDee Lamb in the passing game, and Javonte Williams in the run game. But there were several instances during the season when the Cowboys paid the price for shaky pass protection on the edges. Prescott was hit consistently after releasing the football, and while he was excellent at getting rid of the ball in time to avoid sacks, that’s not a sustainable formula.

The 2026 schedule presents a tougher gauntlet of pass rushers, and the Cowboys have to be ready. Prescott has a lengthy injury history and has been inconsistent in the health department over the last few years. If Dallas wants him to play a full season, protecting him has to be a priority.

It’s a big year ahead for Tyler Guyton. Tuesday against Garrett will give us a much better idea of where he stands when facing a legitimate pass rusher at the highest level.