The Dallas Cowboys faced a significant setback as All-Pro guard Zack Martin will miss the entirety of the 2024 NFL season due to surgery on his right ankle. This move marks the end of a challenging chapter for Martin, who has been grappling with the ankle injury for several seasons. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the news, stating that the decision for surgery was a unanimous one. “Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle,” McCarthy announced, highlighting the inevitability of the situation.
A Painful Year Culminating in a Tough Decision
Martin's ankle troubles are not new; they date back several years into his career. Despite efforts to manage the injury, including hoping for his return in recent games, the situation did not improve. McCarthy elaborated, "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."
Martin himself acknowledged the persistent nature of his ailment, stating, "It's something I've been dealing with all year, back to training camp, really, over the last few years." This persistent struggle ultimately led to the decision for surgery.
A Stellar Career Temporarily Halted
Now in the final year of his contract, the 34-year-old Martin has spent 11 seasons in the NFL, earning accolades that few can match. A seven-time first-team All-Pro honoree and a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Martin's contributions have set a high standard on the field. McCarthy praised Martin's exemplary career noting, “Clearly a Hall of Famer. Not only for the way he plays but just first class.”
This season, however, has been particularly challenging for Martin. His Pro Football Focus offensive grades saw a notable decline from an impressive 94.2 in 2021 to 65.6 in 2024. Additionally, Martin allowed a career-high of five sacks this season, underscoring the physical toll his injury had taken.
Filling Big Shoes
In Martin’s absence, the Cowboys have turned to Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass to fill the void. McCarthy commented on their efforts, "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." Yet, the realization of the gap left by Martin is palpable. “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 added, emphasizing the depth of Martin's influence beyond his on-field performance.
Support System and Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges Martin faces, he has a strong support system, including former teammate and close friend, Travis Frederick. Martin shared, "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." This camaraderie will undoubtedly be crucial as Martin focuses on recovery.
For Martin, the present focus remains on healing rather than future career decisions. He expressed, "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."
As the Cowboys move forward this season, they will have to do so without their star guard, hoping the talent and dedication he brought to the field can be inspirational in his absence. His recovery and potential future return to the field will certainly be followed with great interest by teammates and fans alike.