Tyler Booker took another step toward filling the Dallas Cowboys’ vacancy at right guard with his NFL preseason debut on Saturday night.
The former Alabama standout started at that position in the Dallas’ 31-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
“Today was big for me in a couple ways,” Booker told reporters after the game on Saturday night. “Like you said, like, my first real NFL action. But also figuring out my routine. Like, just the simple fact that we get here at a certain time that’s different than to what I got used to when I was at Alabama. So really just finding my routine pregame, and I think I did a good job of finding that today, and I’m going to continue to roll that over to next weekend, the rest of the games that I play.”
Dallas drafted Booker at No. 12 on April 24 after seven-time first-team All-Pro right guard Zack Martin retired. Booker played 28 of the Cowboys’ 50 offensive snaps against the Ravens.
Dallas will kick off its regular-season schedule in the first game of the NFL’s 2025 campaign against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4.
“Every practice, every meeting, every walkthrough, I’m feel like I’m more prepared for that day,” Booker said. “So just looking forward to getting better until that day comes.”
Booker did not play in the Cowboys’ preseason opener – a 31-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 9. Booker said he “had a great time” playing against Baltimore.
“It’s really a dream come true,” Booker said of his first action in a Dallas uniform on Saturday night. “I was glad to be out there with my teammates, glad to see some live action, and I’m very excited to watch the film.”
Asked how he thought he played, Booker said the film would answer that.
“I don’t want to answer that question right now because I haven’t had a chance to watch the film,” Booker said, “and a common saying in football is: It’s never as good as you think; it’s never as bad as you think. So before I answer that question, I want to give myself a chance to watch the film.”
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said much the same thing when asked how he thought Booker did in his debut.
“I didn’t notice him,” Schottenheimer said. “It’s hard with some of the interior linemen. You guys probably saw it better than I did.
“But I will say I felt like some of the young guys played really well. I thought (former Faith Academy standout) Shemar James played really well. I noticed him. I think Book played good. I thought Damone (Clark), who’s really not a young player, it seemed like he was flying all over the place.”
