Cowboys aren't out of the woods despite positive Tyler Guyton injury update

While the Cowboys can breathe a sigh of relief that Guyton's knee injury was less severe than initially expected, they aren't out of the woods.

If Guyton's recovery is on the longer end of the spectrum, he will be in danger of missing the start of the regular season on Sept. 4.

The Cowboys play in the Thursday night season opener on the road against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.

An unavailable Guyton would be bad news for Dallas.

Asim Richards, a 2023 fifth-round pick (No. 171 overall), will likely get the first chance of taking the first-team left tackle spot while Guyton heals. In his one career start (Week 10 last season against the Philadelphia Eagles), he allowed a sack and four total pressures. (h/t Pro Football Focus)

Hakeem Adeniji, currently Terence Steele's backup at right tackle on the unofficial Cowboys depth chart, started his NFL career at left tackle but struggled mightily in pass protection from 2020-22, allowing 17 sacks and 72 total pressures.

While Guyton experienced some rough rookie growing pains last season, including being flagged 18 times and allowing six sacks, he received his two highest PFF pass-blocking grades in Weeks 15 and 17, a step in the right direction.

Instead of carrying that momentum into Week 1 against the Eagles, Guyton's injury could stall it.

The Cowboys follow their trip to Philly with a home game 10 days later against the New York Giants, who could have one of the league's top edge-rushing duos in Brian Burns and rookie Abdul Carter. If Guyton is anything less than 100 percent, they could wreak havoc.

Guyton's injury could have been much worse, but it can still cause plenty of problems.