Cowboys Headlines: Injuries hit OL, TE rooms; Stephen Jones dismisses 'Pay Micah' chants

USA Today

6 days ago

Monday evening saw Cowboys fans go on a bit of a rollercoaster regarding a key piece of the 2025 offensive plan. The news on Tyler Guyton's injury, however, turned out not to be as bad as originally thought. We'll give you the latest on his expected recovery timetable as well as what the Cowboys may do in the interim at left tackle. We'll also update you on the other offensive lineman to go down over the weekend as well as the rising tight end fighting for a backup spot. And what's the common denominator among three of four defensive backs brought in for Monday workouts? We'll explain.
Elsewhere, we're looking at DaRon Bland's return to the field- and with extra motivation, the tone-deaf way Stephen Jones reacted to fans' "Pay Micah" chants, why the Jake Ferguson deal continues a troubling trend in Dallas, and how rookie Jaydon Blue is stacking up against some big expectations. All that, plus Brian Schottenheimer is mic'd up and fired up, and Deion Sanders makes a stunning revelation about his health: what it means for the 2025 college football season.
Former 1st-round pick, Cowboys starting LT Tyler Guyton injured, ACL tear avoided :: Cowboys Wire
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First reports out of Oxnard were that last year's first-round draft pick had torn an ACL during the team's second padded practice, all but guaranteeing a lost season. Later, though, it was learned that the left tackle had suffered a less-severe injury; the ACL was still intact. With no surgery required, Guyton should be out just four to six weeks. If all goes well, he could still be available Week 1.
Cowboys Twitter reacts to Guyton injury news roller coaster: 'And this is why we wait' :: Cowboys Wire
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The 40 minutes or so when Cowboys Nation thought Guyton was gone for the year made for some sky-is-falling social media. Then news that his injury wasn't as bad as feared had everyone doing a quick reversal.
Cowboys' top 3 temporary replacement plans after Tyler Guyton's leg injury :: Cowboys Wire
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While not as bad as it first seemed, the loss of Guyton will require the team to go to Plan B at left tackle. Asim Richards has experience at the position, and the third-year man seems ready to take a leap forward. Nate Thomas has been turning head in his second camp, too. And remember that Tyler Smith was originally drafted to be the LT of the post-Tyron Smith future.
Top free agent options at tackle after Cowboys avoid season-ending injury to LT Guyton :: Cowboys Wire
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The team may still want to consider bringing in outside help in case Guyton's absence extends beyond its expected window. Tyron Smith's name got kicked around on social media almost immediately upon news of the injury; maybe he could come out of retirement and join the team after camp if needed. Ex-Browns first-rounder Jedrick Wills is available, as is former Cleveland lineman Germain Ifedi and onetime Seahawk/Jet/Texan George Fant.
Cowboys TE Brevyn Spann-Ford to miss time with ankle injury, Brian Schottenheimer says :: Dallas Morning News
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The tight end went down with an ankle injury during Sunday's practice and will miss "a couple weeks," per Schottenheimer. The 2024 undrafted free agent out of Minnesota had turned in a good camp thus far and looked to be pushing Luke Schoonmaker for primary backup duties.
Cowboys $3.75 million investment injured in first padded practice, expected to miss months :: Cowboys Wire
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Robert Jones was thought to be a key depth piece in his first year with the Cowboys and had been taking reps with the first-team offense last week. During Sunday's practice, the 32-game starter broke a bone in his neck and is now expected to miss two to three months.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on fans chanting to pay Micah Parsons: 'He's got to want to be paid, too' :: NFL.com
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Fans attending practice over the weekend were quite vocal, with their "Pay Micah" chants being heard loud and clear. Jones dismissed the cries, though, saying last year's fans were louder in calling for a CeeDee Lamb extension. "It doesn't change anything," he said of the status of talks with Parsons. "We want to pay Micah, too. He's got to want to be paid, too."
Jake Ferguson extension a familiar (problematic?) tone from Cowboys' front office :: Cowboys Wire
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Instead of a prove-it year, 2025 will see the tight end playing on a new $52 million extension. The team has bigger fish to fry, though: most notably, Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, or even Tyler Smith. It's far from the first time the team has rewarded someone further down the pecking order and made the superstar wait. Ferguson's deal may be in line with his position's going rate, but the price tag for the others goes up with every day the club delays.
Updates: Bland returns after birth of child :: The Mothership
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Bland was back at work Monday following the birth of his son, something the All-Pro says will provide a little extra encouragement to him on the field. "It's more motivation after bringing a new life here," he said. "It's a boost to show him what I'm about, and to be a good role model."
Dallas Cowboys work out trio of DBs with experience under Matt Eberflus :: SI.com
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Four defensive backs reportedly worked out for the team in Oxnard on Monday. Thomas Graham, Harrison Hand, and Christian Matthew all were in Chicago while the Cowboys' defensive coordinator was the head man in Chicago. Christian Holmes has played with both Washington and the Giants.
Cowboys' Blue-light special staking his claim to significant snaps come the regular season :: Cowboys Wire
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Jaydon Blue is carrying expectations higher than normal for a fifth-round draft choice. So far, his carries at training camp have shown he's ready for the burden. He's displayed impressive acceleration on backfield runs and dynamic ability as a receiver.
Coach Schotty mic'd up, fired up at practice :: Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones' hijacking Cowboys practice playlist is perfect example of decades of meddling :: Cowboys Wire
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With Cowboys players contributing songs to the team's practice playlist, the owner had to also get in on the act. But his choice of the Pointer Sisters' 1981 "Slow Hand" was an obnoxiously bizarre choice that, for most, merely pointed to the tone-deaf "look at me" mentality that seeps into everything Jones does these days.
Cowboys legend Deion Sanders reveals cancer diagnosis, removal of bladder over offseason :: Cowboys Wire
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Sanders will be back on the Colorado sidelines despite undergoing the removal of his bladder earlier this spring. Doctors found a malignant tumor during routine tests, and the "high recurrence rate" discovered helped inform the Hall of Famer's decision. Sanders's medical team used pieces of his own intestines to construct a new bladder, and he'll continue to be monitored moving forward.
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