OXNARD, Calif. — The injury to starting left tackle and former first-round pick Tyler Guyton created shockwaves, but the Dallas Cowboys are thankful they're temporary. In his absence, look for the depth of the offensive line to be tested early, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer identified Asim Richards and Nate Thomas as the two "who'll get the first couple cracks" at the spot.
Thomas, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 2024, is coming off of what was essentially a medical redshirt season, being moved to injured reserve last August, but has flashed at times in his second training camp — explaining his mindset during his ordeal as a rookie.
"It was about being patient," he said after Wednesday's practice. "Having to go through that, and now you're stepping into a pretty important role; and how things come together for you. … It just built my faith in God, and just having that mindset of like, OK, it's out of your control, leave it up to God. And whenever it's time, it's time.''
The 23-year-old is already bonding with All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott, and that's not simply because of Guyton's injury. The two connected months ago as natives of Louisiana, and Prescott has also been helping to shape Thomas for this very moment.
"Yeah, he's been great," he said of the Cowboys' franchise quarterback. "In the offseason, when we weren't practicing stuff, I was actually working out with him for a month. We were just talking about some things and he told me, 'You need to be ready when your number is called.'
"This was not like, 'Oh, you're just easing back in.' He told me straight up I need to be ready, and I just took that in stride. I make sure I go about everyday just knowing that I need to treat this as if I'm a starter, because you never know when my number is called, and here I am right now."
At best, barring a setback for Guyton, Thomas has a great opportunity to prove himself worthy of being a/the definitive backup at the position going forward. It will all be predicated not only on stacking good days in practice, but tests are on the horizon by way of a scrimmage and subsequent preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, as well as the two preseason matchups that follow.
He's confident all of the work he's put in this offseason can pay dividends, effective immediately — having already drawn praise from head coach Brian Schottenheimer prior to Guyton going down with injury.
"Rome wasn't built in a day, and wasn't built in the night," Thomas said. " It took time, constant reps, going through OTAs, minicamp — stuff like that — and then doing extra meeting time with the coaches and stuff. It helped me to continuously know what I'm doing and then build the confidence day in, day out of just knowing that I can go out there and get the job done."
It'll be robust competition that not only includes Thomas and Richards, but also Hakeem Adeniji and rookie sixth-round pick Ajani Cornelius, as well as veteran lineman Matt Waletzko.
And the Cowboys have the month of August to sort through it all.
