FRISCO, Texas — Zack Martin, the right guard for the Dallas Cowboys, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his ankle, which will conclude a challenging season marred by injuries for the seven-time All-Pro player.
Martin has been sidelined for the last two games after suffering an ankle injury late in a 34-10 defeat against the Houston Texans on November 18. This season, he also dealt with various other injuries, including shoulder, back, and knee problems, but managed to play consistently without missing games until he was hurt against the Texans.
This marks the second significant injury for the Dallas offense this season; quarterback Dak Prescott played in only eight games before suffering a torn hamstring, which ultimately led him to opt for surgery.
In Martin’s absence, third-year player Brock Hoffman stepped in as a replacement during the team’s wins over the Washington Football Team and the New York Giants. The Cowboys, currently at 5-7, are aiming for their third consecutive victory with an upcoming matchup against Cincinnati on Monday night, following a five-game losing streak.
At 34 years old, Martin has been a key figure at the right guard position since the Cowboys selected him 16th overall in the 2014 draft. The former Notre Dame star played all 16 games during each of his first four seasons. Throughout his career, he has missed a couple of games in 2018 and was forced to sit out the last five games of the 2020 season due to a calf injury. As he approaches the end of his contract year, Martin has hinted at the possibility of retirement after the current season.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that the focus at this moment is on Martin’s surgery rather than his future beyond this season. “He’s clearly a Hall of Famer,” said McCarthy, who joined the team in 2020. “Not only because of his performance but also because of his character. He commands tremendous respect. He’s hard-working and a true team player. It has been a privilege to work with him, and I can’t express enough positive things about him.”
During his rookie year, Martin was part of an offensive line that was hailed as one of the best in the NFL, playing a pivotal role in helping DeMarco Murray set a franchise record with 1,845 rushing yards. The Cowboys reached the divisional round of the playoffs that year.
Martin quickly established himself as the cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive line; however, the unit has faced challenges in recent years due to injuries and decreased effectiveness. As it stands, the Cowboys are struggling with the second-worst rushing attack in the league this season.
