Dallas Cowboys fans got some much-needed reassurance yesterday when All-Pro guard Zack Martin said he should be ready for the season opener in two weeks. Those are welcome comments given other issues currently plaguing the offensive line.
Martin had an injury scare after hurting his knee in last week's preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. His MRI was negative for any major injury, and he was given a 2-4 week timetable for recovery.
According to David Helman of DallasCowboys.com, Zack was very positive about his availability for the Panthers game:
“Oh yeah, no question.”
If that affirmative statement wasn't enough, Martin discussed his increasing activity in practice since the injury:
“I don't really like going a couple weeks without putting pads on, so today I put pads on and just did some conditioning – light, individual stuff. That's good for me.”
Also this week, news came out that starting center Travis Frederick has been diagnosed with a neurological disease that could put him out indefinitely. His status for Week One and beyond is currently up in the air.
With Joe Looney already slated to play center in Frederick's absence, the Cowboys could ill afford to lose Zack Martin as well. They've already lost Marcus Martin, who was signed as a free agent in the spring, and are now very thin with their interior line depth.
The next men up at guard are Kadeem Edwards, who's never started an NFL game, and the notorious Chaz Green. Dallas will likely be aggressive in signing some veteran help after final cuts regardless of Zack's status.
Frederick and Martin have both never missed a start, let alone a game, since they've entered the NFL. While Travis' streak may unfortunately end in the season opener, it appears Zack's will thankfully continue.
