The Dallas Cowboys are facing a growing list of injuries, and now starting guard Zack Martin is added to the mix. Heading into their Week 10 divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys have already been dealing with several key injuries, including quarterback Dak Prescott (who is out with a potentially season-ending hamstring injury) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (who played through a shoulder injury last week). In addition to those injuries, cornerback DaRon Bland, edge rusher Micah Parsons, and defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland have all been dealing with various issues.
Zack Martin, a nine-time Pro Bowler, has been managing a shoulder injury since last week. Although he was limited in practice ahead of the Cowboys’ Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons, he still played every offensive snap in the 27-21 loss. Despite the injury, Martin showed resilience by continuing to play, though his performance has reportedly declined compared to past seasons, prompting some concern about his current condition.
This week, Martin’s situation appears to be more serious. He has missed two consecutive practices (Wednesday and Thursday) ahead of the Cowboys’ crucial game against the Eagles. While veteran players like Martin often get Wednesdays off for rest, this week, he has been dealing with more than just the shoulder injury, according to reports from ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Martin is “dealing with a couple things” and acknowledged the decline in his performance this season. While the exact nature of these “other things” has not been detailed, it’s clear that Martin’s physical condition is affecting his play, which could impact the Cowboys’ offensive line as they face a tough opponent in the Eagles.
If Martin is unable to play against Philadelphia, second-year offensive lineman T.J. Bass is expected to fill in at right guard. The Cowboys will need to adjust their game plan accordingly, as they look to avoid a third straight loss and improve their 3-5 record. The game will take place at AT&T Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday