The Cowboys are hoping that cornerback Trevon Diggs and left tackle Tyler Guyton will be ready for their regular season opener against the Eagles on Thursday, but neither is certain to take the field.
Diggs is working his way back to full strength after undergoing knee surgery in January. Expectations of an early-season return kept him on the 53-man roster rather than the physically unable to perform list during last week’s cut-downs. Diggs gave himself a “75-80 percent” chance of playing on Thursday night, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
If Diggs is good to go, he’ll start on the boundary opposite Kaiir Elam with DaRon Bland in the slot. Without Diggs, however, the Cowboys may have to shuffle their secondary. Bland moved into the slot this offseason, but he could play on the boundary until Diggs’ return with backup Reddy Steward starting at nickel. Dallas could also keep Bland in the slot and call upon seventh-round rookie Trikweze Bridges or veteran special teams ace C.J. Goodwin on the outside.
Guyton is recovering from a knee injury suffered at the beginning of training camp. He was diagnosed with a bone fracture and a sprained knee, allowing him to avoid season-ending surgery as well as an injured list placement to start the season. Guyton told All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill that he is expecting to play on Thursday night, but that decision hasn’t been officially made.
If Guyton doesn’t play, 2024 seventh-rounder Nathan Thomas is next up on the Cowboys’ depth chart and would likely get the start at left tackle. Thomas spent his rookie year on the IR and started the first two games of the preseason this year.
Both Diggs and Guyton were full participants in Monday’s practice, an encouraging sign for their availability on Thursday.