Zack Martin to Miss Remainder of 2024 NFL Season
Zack Martin, the seasoned NFL guard known for his consistent and exceptional performance, will not be returning to the field for the remainder of the 2024 season. The Dallas Cowboys' cornerstone offensive lineman requires surgery on his right ankle, a procedure deemed necessary after years of managing the nagging issue.
The announcement came from Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who stated, "Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle." McCarthy provided insight into the decision-making process, emphasizing that it was a unanimous choice made in the best interest of the player’s long-term health. "We started off a couple of weeks ago, thinking the two weeks before the Cincinnati game would be enough for him to recover. Unfortunately, as he went through the protocol and planning, things didn't look quite as good as we hoped," he elaborated.
Having reached the remarkable milestone of 11 seasons with the NFL, Martin has not only been a reliable presence in the Cowboys’ lineup but an exemplary professional on and off the field. His list of accolades is impressive: seven first-team All-Pro honors and nine Pro Bowl appearances, a testament to his caliber and consistency. Regarded as a future Hall of Famer by McCarthy, he was described as "not only for the way he plays but just first class."
Yet even legends face their challenges. Martin's Pro Football Focus offensive grades have seen a noticeable decline over the years, plummeting from an elite 94.2 in 2021 to a concerning 65.6 in 2024. The physical toll on his body has evidently been accumulating, as this past season saw him allowing a career-high of five sacks, an unusual statistic for a player of his stature. Reflecting on his ongoing struggles with the ankle, Martin admitted, "It's something I've been dealing with all year, back to training camp, really, over the last few years."
With Martin sidelined, the Cowboys have turned to Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass to fill the void. McCarthy praised 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, he also acknowledged that Martin's absence would be deeply felt, noting, "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."
As Martin focuses on his recovery, questions about his future naturally follow. At 34 years old and in the final year of his contract, his next steps remain uncertain. Yet, Martin has made it clear that now is not the time for speculation. "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," he stated unequivocally.
Providing a supportive backdrop is Martin's long-time friend and former teammate, Travis Frederick, who remains a pillar in Martin’s support system. "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. Such friendships and the camaraderie within the team will undoubtedly aid him as he navigates this challenging period.
While the Cowboys prepare to face the rest of the season without one of their key players, the focus remains on rallying together and supporting Martin during his recovery. His contributions to the Cowboys and the NFL are immeasurable, and though it's a setback, the football community awaits his bounce-back with eager anticipation.