Cowboys’ Asim Richards Prepares for Multiple Roles

OXNARD, Calif. — Asim Richards has been asked to do a lot for the Cowboys. He worked at guard early in his career, spent time at tackle, and even started working with the first-team offense as a tight end in jumbo sets.

“I can’t say too much about it,” Richards said about his work at tight end, “but I want to use it this year.”

Richards also understood quickly on Monday that there might be a need for him elsewhere, too.

Injury to Tyler Guyton

Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton suffered a bone fracture and a sprain in his right knee after he went down near the end of practice on Monday, a person with knowledge of the injury told The Dallas Morning News. More tests are being performed to determine how long he’ll be out.

Guyton appeared to be injured after his legs were tangled with a pass-rushing teammate, sending him to the ground. A few starting teammates circled around him while trainers looked at him. Micah Parsons helped Guyton walk until Guyton could walk on his own free power. He headed straight for the locker room.

Richards’ Preparation

Richards didn’t know the severity of the injury to Guyton at the time, but he immediately started to plan accordingly. He pulled starting guard Tyler Smith aside and the two worked on pass blocking, with Smith rushing. Richards has been lining up recently as the second-team right tackle. After practice, he specifically worked on left tackle pass protection with Smith.

“You’ve got to,” Richards said about being prepared for left tackle. “It’s training camp, so you train, train, as much as you can.

“But we’ll see. Hopefully Tyler Guyton is going to be OK.”

Cowboys’ Offensive Line Depth

Guyton is the latest injury for the Cowboys on the offensive line. Rob Jones was battling with first-round pick Tyler Booker for the starting right guard position before the Cowboys discovered that he had a broken bone in his neck that will keep him out two to three months. Backup Matt Waletzko, a former tackle working at guard, missed practice on Monday. Starting right tackle Terence Steele returned to practice on Monday after spraining his ankle.

It’s early, but the Cowboys are already being tested at a perceived area of strength.

“This is the deepest and most talent-rich, in terms of quality depth, I’ve seen the Cowboys have in a long time in the offensive line room,” Offensive line expert Duke Manyweather said earlier this month at the OL Masterminds summit.

Cowboys’ Offseason Moves

The Cowboys were active this offseason when it came to their offensive line. They lost Zack Martin and Chuma Edoga, but they drafted right guard Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick, and they also signed multiple veteran offensive linemen in Jones, Saahdiq Charles and Hakeem Adeniji.

Adeniji has already been called on once for the Cowboys this training camp. He was the replacement for Steele with the first team while Steele was out with his ankle injury.

“Big, powerful man,” Schottenheimer said of Adeniji, a Garland High School alum. “He’s one of those guys, because of his size and width and things like that, he’s hard to get around if speed rushers don’t get him off the jump.”

Players Who Could Replace Guyton

Richards, Adeniji and second-year tackle Nate Thomas — someone Schottenheimer has been very complimentary of this offseason — are guys who could be asked to play left tackle if Guyton is out for an extended period of time. Smith also remains an option to move from left guard to tackle, as he did his rookie season, but the Cowboys have expressed an interest to keep him at guard.

Someone will have to step up.

“It’s a team game,” Adeniji said, “so we need everyone on deck to win.”

Injuries and Team Performance

Injuries are inevitable, but the injury to Guyton — regardless of their belief in his replacements — is a blow to the Cowboys. Guyton had earned praise from coaches about how he worked this offseason.

Guyton, a first-round pick out of Oklahoma, struggled during his rookie season. He didn’t shy away from that. He owned it, saying that he wanted to become someone who could be depended on. Coaches and teammates complimented him on how he took that in stride and made the necessary changes to get there, including changes to his diet and additional daily stretching.

Most of all, Schottenheimer saw a change in Guyton’s confidence during his second training camp.

“I see him trying things, which is really good,” Schottenheimer said on Monday before Guyton was injured. “I see him changing up his sets, doing different things, using his hands. That comes from having a new set of tools in your toolbox. That’s what we refer to it as: the toolbox.”

Depth is a tool, too, and now the Cowboys are getting a chance to test its quality.

Conclusion

The Cowboys are facing a challenge with the injury to Tyler Guyton, but they have a deep and talented offensive line that can help them overcome it. Asim Richards, Hakeem Adeniji, and other players will have to step up and fill the void left by Guyton. The team’s performance will depend on how well they can adapt to the injury and work together to achieve their goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Tyler Guyton and what is his role in the Cowboys?

A: Tyler Guyton is the left tackle for the Cowboys. He suffered a bone fracture and a sprain in his right knee during practice and his return is uncertain.

Q: Who are some possible replacements for Guyton?

A: Some possible replacements for Guy