Tyler Guyton injury update: Jerry Jones believes Cowboys starter could be ready for opener

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton could be available for the regular season opener on Sept. 4, according to owner Jerry Jones. Guyton suffered a bone fracture at the beginning of training camp, and was originally reported to have a recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks.

Because the injury occurred on July 28, that timeline would potentially put him on track to play if he has a speedy recovery. Jones addressed the possibility while speaking with media on Tuesday.

“I don’t know (whether Guyton will play the opener),” the owner said per The Athletic‘s Jon Machota. “But it looks good.”

The team initially feared that Guyton had torn his ACL on the day the injury happened. However, an MRI thankfully revealed that not to be the case. In fact, the offensive tackle will avoid having to have surgery altogether.

Now after that initial scare, it seems Guyton may not have to miss any time at all to start the regular season. Even if he isn’t ready when the Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4, a Week 2 return would still be likely.

Either way, the Cowboys are thankful to have Guyton back after he started 11 of the 15 games he appeared in last season. The former first-round pick will hope to put this injury behind him soon enough and look toward building momentum in his second pro season.

Stephen Jones reveals Cowboys’ plan at left tackle after Tyler Guyton injury

Count Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones as another person thankful the injury to Guyton wasn’t more serious. Jones offered his thought during a recent radio appearance.

“It was a huge, huge plus,” Jones said via 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “Not only for us but the organization. The coaching staff is smiling ear to ear today. It’s just because he was making really great progress out there and I think he’ll continue to do that. He’s certainly learned a lot, matured a lot. I think this new coaching staff has helped him.”

There is a chance Guyton could be available for the season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 4. Until then, Dallas still needs somebody to run first-team reps at left tackle. Asim Richards got run there at times last year when Guyton was on the sideline.

However, Jones identified Nate Thomas as the short-term Guyton replacement. He spoke highly of the former seventh-round selection who enters his second NFL season.

“One guy I’ll point out, and he’s probably going to go with ones until we get Tyler back, is Nate Thomas,” Jones said. “He’s having a really good camp for us, he’s exceeded expectations, he’s serious-minded about what he’s doing out there. The coaches are really liking what he’s doing out there.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.