How would you now handle Tyler Guyton in these last two preseason games? As a rookie, he needs all the game reps he can get, but Mike McCarthy's philosophy has always been to rest starters. We saw that last week when Guyton wound up playing only a couple of series. Better to make sure he's healthy when he faces Myles Garrett in Week One or that he has a little more NFL experience under his belt? Better yet, which would Dak Prescott prefer? – Michael Honeycutt/Austin, TX
Nick Eatman: Good question, especially now after the injury to Edoga. I think the answer is yes and no. Yes, he should play this week against the Raiders because he needs reps for sure. But in the third and final game, I would probably sit him. They're so thin right now at left tackle that another injury might force them to slide Tyler Smith out to tackle, something they clearly don't want to do. So I would treat Guyton a little different than the other starters because he needs reps, reps and more reps. But he also needs to stay healthy, so I'd split the difference. Play him one game but rest him for the final one.
Patrik: I appreciate the hell out of this question not only based upon its own merit, but also because I was literally having this conversation in my mind shortly after the news of Chuma Edoga's injury arrived with news he'd likely start the season on injured reserve. That means there is no more pretending Guyton has to earn the starting role for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns (which, by the way, I said in May he'd earn anyway), and now he has to be treated like a high-value starter ... but ... as you said, he's still a rookie. My plan would be to play him 2.5 quarters against the Raiders to get him the necessary preseason reps at a high click, especially given the pitch count against the Rams, and then I'd bubble wrap him until Sept. 8 by holding him out of the preseason finale versus the Chargers. Keep in mind, he also got reps with the first team in the second joint practice against the Rams this week, and those count toward my preseason tally for him.
