Zack

Martin

A lifelong Cowboy, Martin has opted to call it quits after 11 seasons. Few guards in NFL history have done it better than Martin, whose seven First-Team All-Pros are tied for 14th most in NFL history. Every player with seven or more All-Pro nominations is in the Hall of Fame, with the exception of the Rams’ Aaron Donald, who is likely to be a first-ballot nominee once eligible. Drafted with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Martin started all 162 games he appeared in during his career and appeared in 15 or more games in all but three seasons. Martin suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 that was later determined to require season-ending surgery. T.J. Bass, who remains under contract for next season and played 315 snaps at both guard positions last season, is first up on the in-house depth chart to replace Martin. It is possible Martin’s retirement creates yet another need the Cowboys will need to address this offseason.

The seven-time All-Pro guard hasn’t played since suffering his ankle injury in Week 11 against the Texans. Now, after missing two straight games and with the Cowboys having little to play for, Martin has opted for season-ending surgery to correct the issue. Martin played on 638 offensive snaps this season and earned a PFF offensive grade of 65.6. The 34-year-old lineman is in the final year of his contract, and a return to Dallas could prove complicated with the Cowboys still needing to address a long-term contract with Micah Parsons.

Rush was listed as limited for the second straight day while managing a knee issue. It is likely a minor load management listing on a short week for Rush as the Cowboys play Thanksgiving day against the Giants. Trey Lance is currently the backup, though Rush should play barring setbacks. He is likely going to be missing a key blocker in OG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) who was listed as DNP for the second straight day.

Ferguson did not practice all week after getting concussed on Monday night against the Texans. On a short week, he’d need to start practicing in a hurry to be up. Cowboys lineman Zack Martin joins Ferguson as a “long shot,” while Tyler Smith has a “good chance” to play on Thursday.

The hits keep on coming for the Cowboys, who revealed on Saturday that they would be without both Martin (ankle) and Diggs (groin/knee). Ferguson will miss Sunday’s game after suffering a concussion in last week’s loss to the Texans, leaving the them without several key starters in what has the makings of a disastrous game on the road against the Commanders. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker, who caught 6-of-10 targets for 56 yards in last week’s game makes for a viable streaming option in place of Ferguson.

The same goes for right guard Zack Martin, who is dealing with both ankle and shoulder injuries and was previously listed as doubtful. The Cowboys find themselves in the middle of a lost season with mounting injuries on both sides of the ball, not exactly a recipe for success against one of the most competitive teams in the NFC.

Martin is not expected to suit up and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) is questionable to play, leaving Cooper Rush far more vulnerable to the Commanders’ interior pass rush. Hopefully, Rush is able to get the ball out quickly, keeping CeeDee Lamb’s WR1 prospects intact.

Martin was initially expected to play in Sunday’s contest against the Commanders but was ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff. In addition to Martin, the Cowboys will also be without OG Tyler Smith, who is dealing with a foot injury. The Cowboys will count on a few backups along the offensive line to lead them to a win over a flailing Commanders defense. The Cowboys also ruled out S Sheldrick Redwine, CB Noah Igbinoghene, CB Eric Scott, DL Junior Fehoko, and QB Trey Lance.

Martin was iffy headed into this weekend with a thigh injury. He’ll suit up against an improving Dolphins defense that has pressured the passer at a high rate over the past month. Cowboys declared CB Noah Igbinoghene, CB Eric Scott, RB Deuce Vaughn, LT Tyron Smith, WR Jalen Brooks, and DT Johnathan Hankins inactive against Miami.

Smith didn’t practice at any point this week and is unlikely to suit up on Sunday. Zack Martin is also questionable, meaning Dak Prescott could be without multiple starting linemen for Week 16. He will still rank as a QB1 in a potential shootout with the Dolphins, though his projection will get dinged base on the downgrades along the line.