In a blow to the Dallas Cowboys and their quest for postseason success, perennial All-Pro guard Zack Martin will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season due to a lingering ankle issue. The decision to proceed with surgery was a difficult yet unanimous one, marking the end of Martin's lengthy season-long battle with the persistent injury.
A Tough decision
Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the development, stating, "Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle." Martin, who has been with the Cowboys for 11 seasons, has been wrestling with the ankle problem for several years, with this season proving to be particularly challenging. Despite his efforts to manage the condition, it became clear that surgery was inevitable. McCarthy elaborated on the timeline leading up to the decision, noting, "We started off a couple of weeks ago...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."
A Remarkable Career
At 34, Martin is in the final year of his contract and has already cemented his place as one of the NFL's most distinguished offensive linemen. Over his illustrious career, he has earned first-team All-Pro honors an impressive seven times and has appeared in nine Pro Bowls. His Pro Football Focus offensive grade, however, exhibited a significant decline from 94.2 in 2021 to 65.6 in 2024, partly due to the ongoing ankle issues. Despite these struggles, McCarthy praised Martin as "clearly a Hall of Famer. Not only for the way he plays but just first class."
Stepping Up in Martin's Absence
With Martin sidelined, the Cowboys have turned to Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass to fill the void left by the veteran guard. McCarthy commended their efforts, saying, "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." However, the challenge of replacing a player of Martin's caliber is immense. As McCarthy noted, "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."
Support From Within
Off the field, Martin has found a key source of support in his friend and former teammate, Travis Frederick. "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. This camaraderie is invaluable as he navigates the challenges ahead.
Focusing on Recovery
As for Martin, his primary focus now shifts from the field to his recovery. Understanding the gravity of his situation, he expressed his sentiments clearly: "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." This underscores the seriousness with which he approaches his rehabilitation and future, both personally and professionally.
Though the Cowboys will undoubtedly miss his on-field prowess and leadership, the hope is that this necessary surgery will offer Martin a path to recovery, perhaps extending his already stellar career. Cowboys fans and teammates alike will be watching closely and supporting Martin as he embarks on what is arguably his toughest match yet—the battle for full health.