The Cowboys’ veteran offensive lineman Zack Martin will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season due to a persistent ankle issue, Head Coach Mike McCarthy announced this week. Martin, a stalwart of the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line, is slated to undergo surgery on his right ankle, an injury that has been dogging him for several years.
A Career Interrupted
The decision for surgery was described as unanimous, underscoring the severity and persistence of the injury. "Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle," McCarthy stated, highlighting the end of Martin's challenging run this season. Initially, the Cowboys' medical team hoped a rest period before the Cincinnati game might offer some relief, but progress stalled, leaving surgery as the only viable option.
Martin, who turned 34 on November 20th, reflected on his struggle with the injury, admitting, "It's something I've been dealing with all year, back to training camp, really, over the last few years." Despite his best efforts to play through the pain, the toll on his performance became unmistakable.
An Illustrious Record
Over his 11-season career with the NFL, Martin has established himself as a key figure in the Cowboys' lineup, earning first-team All-Pro honors seven times and making nine Pro Bowl appearances. His excellence on the field, however, wasn’t enough to mitigate the gradual decline caused by his ankle troubles. This season saw Martin’s Pro Football Focus offensive grade drop significantly, from 94.2 in 2021 to a mere 65.6 in 2024. Moreover, he allowed a career-high of five sacks this year, highlighting the physical limitations he has faced.
McCarthy was candid in his praise of Martin, stating, "Clearly a Hall of Famer. Not only for the way he plays but just first class." Such accolades reflect Martin’s enduring influence and contribution to the sport, even as his physical capacity has waned.
The Impact on the Team
In Martin’s absence, the Cowboys have relied on Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass to fill the void on the offensive line. McCarthy noted their efforts in stepping up, acknowledging, "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." Even so, replacing a player of Martin's stature is no easy task. The coach emphasized this when he remarked, "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."
Looking Towards Recovery
As Martin faces this significant turn in his career, he focuses on recovery and resuming his career, perhaps now more than ever bolstered by the people closest to him. Travis Frederick, a former teammate, remains a pivotal part of Martin's support network. Martin appreciated Frederick’s ongoing support, saying, "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."
With Martin in the final year of his contract, many anticipated discussions about his future in the league would arise. Yet, for Martin, the priority remains getting healthy. He succinctly addressed such inquiries, stating, "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’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Cowboys, both on and off the field. Yet, as he embarks on this recovery journey with the same determination that marked his playing days, his legacy as a dedicated and distinguished athlete remains firmly intact. The NFL will keenly await his return, where he will return to the field as a cherished veteran and, unequivocally, a future Hall of Famer.