The Cowboys made a trio of roster moves on Wednesday, headlined by placing offensive tackle Tyler Guyton on injured reserve - a significant development for a young lineman who had shown real promise in his first NFL season.
Guyton, just 24, has had one of the more unique paths to the NFL trenches. He started his college career at TCU as a tight end before transferring to Oklahoma and making the switch to offensive tackle.
That transition paid off. In his lone season as a starter at right tackle for the Sooners, he earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2023 and turned heads with his raw athleticism and size.
That upside was on full display during the pre-draft process. Guyton tested like a high-end athlete at the Combine, and the Cowboys saw enough to make him the No. 29 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft - a move that signaled Dallas was looking to invest in the future of its offensive line.
Through 10 starts this season, Guyton had been holding his own at tackle, showing flashes of the athleticism and footwork that made him a first-round pick. While there were some rookie growing pains, his presence on the edge had helped stabilize a line that’s seen its share of shuffling in recent years. Losing him at this stage of the season is a tough blow, especially as the Cowboys eye a postseason push.
Financially, Guyton is in the third year of a four-year, $12.9 million rookie deal that included a $6.2 million signing bonus. His 2024 cap hit stands at just over $2.3 million, and the team holds a fifth-year option for 2028 - a key piece of flexibility as they continue to build around their young core.
In addition to moving Guyton to IR, the Cowboys signed cornerback Corey Ballentine to the active roster. Ballentine has bounced around the league since entering in 2019, but he brings speed and special teams value - two traits Dallas could lean on down the stretch.
They also elevated linebacker Justin Barron, a rookie who’s been developing on the practice squad. Barron, known for his physicality and range at the second level, could see some rotational snaps or contribute on special teams depending on how the depth chart shakes out.
With Guyton sidelined, the Cowboys will need to shuffle their offensive line again - a unit that’s already dealt with injuries and moving parts this season. But if there’s one thing this franchise has shown in recent years, it’s an ability to adapt in the trenches. Still, losing a young, ascending tackle like Guyton at this point in the year is far from ideal.