Zack Martin's Season Ends with Surgery
Dallas Cowboys' star offensive lineman Zack Martin will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season due to a significant ankle injury that has plagued him for several years. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the news, revealing that the decision for Martin to undergo surgery was unanimous and necessary.
"Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle," McCarthy stated. "We started off a couple of weeks ago, we felt with the two weeks prior to Cincinnati, we felt this was a good path for him to try to get back for the Cincinnati game. But as he went through the protocol and the planning, Friday, things didn't look quite as good as we hoped."
For Martin, who has been a stalwart for the Cowboys over his 11-season career in the NFL, this procedure marks a significant pause. Despite managing this persistent ankle issue since training camp and throughout the last few years, the impact on his performance eventually reached a tipping point.
"It's something I've been dealing with all year, back to training camp, really, over the last few years," Martin confessed.
A Legacy of Excellence
Martin's career needs no embellishment. A seven-time recipient of first-team All-Pro honors and boasting nine Pro Bowl appearances, his presence on the field has been nothing short of exemplary. Mike McCarthy praises him as, "Clearly a Hall of Famer. Not only for the way he plays but just first class."
However, even legends face challenges. In 2024, Pro Football Focus recorded a decline in Martin's offensive grades from 94.2 in 2021 to 65.6, and he allowed a career-high five sacks, indicators that the physical toll had reached a critical point.
Despite these hurdles, Martin remains in the final year of his contract, posing questions about his future with the team. Yet, he prefers to focus on his recovery for now. "This is not the time to have those discussions. This is all I'll say about that. It's a tough situation and the most important thing on my mind is getting healthy," Martin remarked.
Next Man Up
In Martin’s absence, the Cowboys have turned to Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass to fill the void left on the offensive line. McCarthy remarked positively on their performances, especially emphasizing the need for consistency. "Those guys have worked hard. I mean Brock's done a nice job in there. T.J., I thought he played well in Washington. The biggest thing for him is to be consistent," McCarthy noted.
Yet, the gap left by Martin is more than just skill-based—his leadership and presence are irreplaceable. "He's going to be missed. We're not going to replace Zack Martin by no means. Just his presence...he's the veteran leader who leads one of the meetings," McCarthy acknowledged, highlighting the impact Martin has beyond gameplay.
Support System
At 34, Martin isn't navigating these challenging waters alone. Former Cowboys center Travis Frederick, part of his close support network, remains a constant source of encouragement. "Trav's like one of my best friends in the world. He was just calling and checking in on me. He's very aware, I've been filling him in kind of throughout the year," Martin shared.
The news of Martin's surgery marks the end of an era on the field, but as anyone familiar with his career trajectory knows, it's not the end of his story. With resilience as a defining characteristic, his journey through recovery could very well prepare him for new chapters, on and off the gridiron.