The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Sunday night showdown against the Minnesota Vikings, but their high-powered offense might be missing a key piece once again. As the team prepares for kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, offensive tackle Tyler Guyton’s status remains shrouded in uncertainty due to a lingering high ankle sprain.
Guyton, the Cowboys’ first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, has already sat out the last two games because of the injury. In his second season with Dallas, the 300-plus-pound lineman has been a vital protector for quarterback Dak Prescott, who has been lighting up the league this year with 3,637 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. Prescott’s MVP-caliber performance has propelled the Cowboys’ offense to one of the NFL’s elite units, but without Guyton anchoring the line, things could get tricky against a formidable Vikings defense.
Practice reports from this week painted a concerning picture. Guyton was absent from sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday’s pivotal practice saw him sidelined yet again. Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer addressed the situation, describing the injury as “tricky” for a player of Guyton’s size. “Tyler Guyton is looking at missing his third straight game with high ankle sprain,” ESPN’s Todd Archer reported via X on December 12, 2025. “Brian Schottenheimer said Guyton hasn’t had a setback but it’s ‘tricky,’ sometimes for a 300+ lineman.”
If Guyton is officially ruled out, veteran Nate Thomas is expected to step in and continue filling the void. Thomas has shown capability in recent weeks, but the Cowboys will undoubtedly miss Guyton’s athleticism and upside on the edge.
This injury update comes at a tough time for Dallas, who are rebounding from a 44-30 defeat to the Detroit Lions last week. Prior to that setback, the Cowboys had rattled off three consecutive victories, showcasing the explosive potential of their offense. With the playoffs looming, every game counts, and facing a Vikings team hungry for a win could test the depth of this Cowboys squad.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for any last-minute developments on Guyton’s status. For now, the bombshell from the coaching staff underscores the fragility of even the strongest lines in the NFL. Stay tuned for more updates as game day approaches.