The Cowboys had a number of problems that emerged on Thursday night in Week 14 against the Lions, a 44-30 loss, that will be concerns for the team as it wraps up the final four games of the year and attempts to keep alive the very thin playoff hopes that still linger despite a 6-6-1 record. One of those, undoubtedly, was the play of second-year lineman Nate Thomas at the left tackle position.

Thomas, a seventh-round pick in 2024, was making his second straight start for the Cowboys, as regular tackle Tyler Guyton recovers from a knee injury. Guyton did not practice at all last week, so there is certainly a worry that he won’t be ready to go on Sunday against the Vikings. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said he won’t know more about Guyton’s status until practice on Wednesday.

That could force Thomas back into the starting lineup against the Vikings, and if Thomas’s performance against the Lions is any indication, that’s a problem for Dallas.

Cowboys’ Nate Thomas ‘Struggled’

The Cowboys struggled to keep quarterback Dak Prescott out of harm’s way in the Lions loss, allowing 22 pressures on his dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus. Eight of those were courtesy of Thomas, who allowed a sack and two hits on Prescott, plus took a penalty.

With a blitz-heavy Vikings defense on tap, the possibility of Thomas back in the left-tackle spot is a big concern, as coach Brian Schottenheimer conceded on Monday.

“Nate struggled,” Schottenheimer admitted. “I think he’d be the first to tell you that. Young player, second start. Again, very talented. I think where Nate needs to grow is understanding that he plays a very difficult position to play and you’re going to get beat at times, you got to bounce back.”

Nate Thomas Shoulders an Issue

Schottenheimer said the Cowboys have been working with Thomas, who has enough talent to stick on the roster through two training camps, on keeping his shoulders square at the line. They will continue to do so.

“For him, it was more the aggressive sets,” Schottenheimer said. “What do I mean by that? His initial set was really good and then as there was space, he would begin to turn his shoulders, which softens the edge and makes it easier for the defensive end to effect the quarterback. Whereas, Nate’s a 330-pound man with incredible athleticism and size. He needs to stay square longer. That’s something we will keep working with him on.”

Cowboys Had Protected Dak Prescott All Season

The Cowboys have prided themselves on keeping Prescott upright for most of this season. The team had allowed just two sacks in its previous three games, and, leading into the Lions matchup, Prescott’s 12 sacks in 17 games gave him the lowest full-season sack percentage of his career.

Now, it’s the second lowest. And the Vikings, who have 47 sacks–No. 4 in the NFL in that stat–are up next.

“I really do feel like one of the best things we’ve done all year is protect Dak, and we didn’t do it very well the other night,” Schottenheimer said. “We need to do it better this week against the Vikings.”