Zack Martin's Season Cut Short by Ankle Surgery
The Dallas Cowboys will be without one of their stalwarts for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. Veteran offensive lineman Zack Martin, a cornerstone of the Cowboys' success over the last decade, is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right ankle. This decisive step, announced by head coach Mike McCarthy, ends Martin’s year and adds uncertainty to his future as he sits in the final year of his contract.
McCarthy's announcement reflected the gravity of the decision. "Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle," he stated bluntly. The choice was unanimous and deemed necessary after Martin had been grappling with this persisting ankle issue for several years. Despite showing tenacity and resilience, the injury has proved too significant to continue without surgical intervention.
Martin, who turned 34 on November 20, has been a fixture in the NFL for 11 seasons. His contributions have been exceptional, earning him first-team All-Pro honors seven times and nine Pro Bowl appearances. But the toll of his injuries has begun to show. This season, his Pro Football Focus offensive grades dropped significantly from a stellar 94.2 in 2021 to a concerning 65.6 in 2024, and he has allowed a career-high of five sacks.
Reflecting on his struggles, Martin commented, "It's something I've been dealing with all year, back to training camp, really, over the last few years." The decision to undergo surgery wasn't taken lightly. According to McCarthy, "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."
The void left by Martin is palpable, and his absence signifies more than just a gap on the offensive line. "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 acknowledged, underscoring Martin's influence beyond the field.
In Martin's absence, the Cowboys have seen Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass step up to fill the void. McCarthy noted 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." Despite these efforts, replicating Martin's impact and leadership will undoubtedly be a daunting challenge.
The support system surrounding Martin plays a crucial role in his recovery process. One notable figure is Travis Frederick, Martin’s close friend and confidant. Martin shared insight into their relationship, stating, "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."
As Martin prepares for surgery, he remains focused on recovery rather than future discussions about his career. 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."
For the Cowboys, the loss of a player of Martin’s caliber is undoubtedly challenging. Yet, his legacy and influence will continue to inspire both his teammates and fans. As the NFL season progresses, the Cowboys will need to adapt and find strength within their ranks to accommodate for Martin's absence, while he focuses on the path to recovery.