With the Cowboys kicking off spring training this weekend, there are plenty of concerns surrounding their offensive line. Guard Zack Martin continues to miss training camp looking to improve his contract. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been testing other pieces in that roster unit. This under the risk of an injury complicating things.
And that injury, unfortunately, came on Thursday.
During practice that day in Oxnard, lineman Chuma Edoga had to leave the field in the medical staff cart. According to an initial diagnosis, the former Jets and Falcons player suffered a hyperextension in his right knee. It is worth mentioning that Edoga aimed to play from the beginning against the Jaguars, this after working as a tackle and guard in the camp.
Cowboys versatile OL Chuma Edoga carted off the field in Oxnard. He was worked at both tackle and guard for team. Important piece to line depth. https://t.co/c2HBISXP7d pic.twitter.com/X8cMMzPfNp
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 10, 2023
Since the time of the injury, the Cowboys have not released any news regarding Edoga’s injury and time out. On paper, this should happen in one of the next two press conferences that the team could have. I mean, after the game against Jacksonville, or Monday morning in Oxnard.
Either way, this loss is a stark reminder to the Cowboys about the fragility of their offensive line. And if that wasn’t enough, the fans in Oxnard also lobbied. After Edoga’s injury, chants of “Pay Zack Martin” rang out from the crowd.
A group of Cowboys fans just broke out in unison at the end of practice with a very loud “Pay Zack Martin! Pay Zack Martin! Pay Zack Martin!” chant.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 10, 2023
What is the current situation of the offensive line without Edoga and without Martin?
After what happened on Thursday, the situation on the Dallas offensive line is even more complicated. Chuma Edoga, up until that point, was aiming to back up Tyron Smith at left tackle. And without Zack Martin, Matt Farniok is the right guard in first-team practice.
However, this situation could become even more complicated. Tyron Smith has had a monitored workload due to his propensity for injuries. Meanwhile, center Tyler Biadasz had a scare in practice Tuesday with an ankle injury. Fortunately, Biadasz was able to return to training as normal on Thursday.
Tyler Biadasz has exited practice after further evaluation. Biadasz went down while grabbing his right leg on this drill.#NFL #DallasCowboys #Cowboyspic.twitter.com/MOIw4fSff3
— Cowboys Report (@_cowboysreport) August 8, 2023
Now, what if one of them were short in the current offensive line situation? This would mean moving Matt Farniok from right guard at the very least. And, again, this would remain vacant as it did not have guarantee endorsements.
And what about the other guys on the offensive line? Actually, nothing that inspires confidence. Edoga, up to the time of his injury, had received mixed reviews from reporters present in Oxnard. Meanwhile, Josh Ball hasn’t left a good impression working as a guard. And Matt Waletzko hasn’t entirely convinced either. Aside from them, the other linemen have yet to prove themselves in the preseason.
Will Jerry Jones eat his words?
As for the Zack Martin contract situation, Jerry Jones had already shown a refusal to resolve it. In recent days, the owner of the Cowboys has released the occasional unfortunate phrase implying that they will not pay his best offensive lineman. “We need the money for other players” and “we must go on without him” have been just some of his pearls.
But now Jones may have to eat his words.
Let’s remember that Martin is pushing for an upgrade to his current contract with the Cowboys. The eight-time Pro Bowler currently earns $14 million annually, making him the ninth-highest-paid guard in the NFL. However, Alec Lindstrom’s $20.5 million extension with the Falcons makes Martin feel underpaid. Even more, considering all the merits reaped by the Dallas lineman during his career.
This has been a battle between the leadership of the team and Zack Martin to see who gives up first. The right guard has against him the fines that he is accruing for each day he is absent from camp. Such fines are $50,000 a day, and Martin is already close to a million dollars. Besides, there are those who criticize him saying that he must respect the two years that remain on his contract.
#Cowboys All-Pro guard Zack Martin is continuing to work out on his own away from training camp ????
(????: olmastermindstraining on IG) pic.twitter.com/rHf7lSMYTv
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) August 7, 2023
Because of this, many saw that Zack Martin would eventually have to relent so as not to lose more money in fines. As for sports, the Notre Dame product has been training on his own for the past few weeks. And this clears up any doubt about his physical performance when he returns to the team.
Now, Chuma Edoga’s injury can give Zack Martin an advantage in this battle with the Jones family. However, in the absence of information about said injury, we do not know if this will really influence the negotiations. For their own good, the Cowboys should resolve this situation. With the team’s aspirations, they can’t afford to have such a shaky offensive line. And much less do without one of its best players.
2023-08-13 00:15:13
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