Dallas Cowboys OT Chuma Edoga expected to go on IR after toe injury

After suffering a severe toe injury on Sunday against the Rams, second-year Cowboys tackle Chuma Edoga is expected to begin the 2024 regular season on Injured Reserve, according to Dallas Morning News‘ David Moore. Edoga exited the preseason game, which the team lost 13-12, after the apparent foot injury. Reporters then spotted him in a boot after the matchup and shared that he would undergo an MRI on Monday.

Though the Cowboys haven’t announced the official news of Edoga’s injury, reports are now surfacing that his toe injury is severe and could require 4-6 weeks of recovery time. If the former USC standout goes on IR to start the season, he can return after Week 4.

Sidelining the majority of their starters on offense on Sunday, the Cowboys started Edoga at left tackle, Asim Richards at left guard, Brock Hoffman at center, TJ Bass at right guard and Matt Waletzko at right tackle.

When Edoga exited the game, rookie Tyler Guyton took over at left tackle. In his debut, the former Sooners star played 21 snaps with 13 pass-block snaps. He did not allow a pressure and even sprang backup quarterback Trey Lance for a big pickup on third down.

Edoga’s injury a blow to Cowboys depth

The Cowboys re-signed Edoga on a one-year deal this offseason for added depth, even though they drafted a left tackle in the first round. Though the hope was always that Guyton would start in his first season, the former Chiefs contributor was a sort of safety net for Dallas in case the rookie wasn’t ready or in case of injury. He is also a capable guard, which means it’s also a loss of depth for that group as well.

Playing in all 17 regular season games for Dallas at various positions, Edoga made six starts in 2023, which is the second-most yet in his five-year NFL career. He played for the Cowboys on a one-year deal for $1.23 million and re-signed on a veteran salary benefit deal.

Edoga is a former third-round pick out of USC. The New York Jets snagged him in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was in and out of the lineup for New York over his first three years, appearing in 23 games during that span. After the Jets released him, the Atlanta Falcons picked him up. He appeared in two games for the team in 2022. Edoga played left guard for the Falcons before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The backup lineman’s signing was critical for Dallas after the way free agency depleted their OL room. The team let Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz, both starters, walk for new deals elsewhere. Though they may not need to sign another tackle before the start of the season, they may need to keep an extra on the roster, which will take a spot away from another player.