Dallas Cowboys: Offensive Line Nursing Injuries Prior to Season Opener

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The Dallas Cowboys are known for controlling the line of scrimmage with a dominant offensive line. Left Tackle Tyron Smith has been a perennial All-Pro/Pro Bowl performer for nearly a decade. All-Pro Guard Zack Martin just might be not only the best guard in the NFL but the top overall lineman period. La’el Collins is a very solid Right Tackle. Heading into the 2019 season they’re all monitoring a few nagging injuries.

La’el Collins may not be as established as Smith or Martin but don’t discredit his value. He’s the best right tackle on this roster and has the responsibility of keeping left-side defensive ends out of the face of Quarterback Dak Prescott. He is currently nursing a shoulder injury that kept him out of the final training camp practice on Tuesday. However, he is expected to be ready for the opener September 8th against the New York Giants. This is also a contract year for Collins so him playing well will help his wallet as well as the Dallas Cowboys.

Zack Martin has made the pro bowl and been named an all-pro in each of his first five seasons, making him the only player in team history with that honor. Earlier this month he left practice with a back injury that required an MRI and he hasn’t practiced since. Luckily for him, there were no ailments found and he’s on track to be on the field week one. He’s been an ironman for the Cowboys with 78 starts in 80 career games, having missed his only two last season.

He doesn’t expect that to be the case this season, though, having this to say earlier this week. “My goal is to be out there for every game this season,” Martin said following Tuesday’s practice at Ford Center. “Knowing that my teammates can count on me week in and week out, I take great pride in that. That’s something that I’m working to get back to.” His health is vital to the success of this unit.

Tyron Smith is one of if not the best left tackle in the NFL. Since entering the league in 2011, he’s made six pro bowls and several all-pro teams. In his first five seasons, he only missed one game but has missed three every season since 2015. That didn’t stop him from being fully confident about his health heading into 2019.

“Every year you always have little nicks here and there, but it feels good coming into this year with no injuries,” Smith said, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “I’m coming back faster and stronger.”

Once again, his back is causing some issues, as it has for several years now. But much to the delight of the Cowboys he’s fully expected to be on the field September 8th when the season kicks off.

The Cowboys identity starts with the offensive lines ability to control the clock by running the football. Even though these three have some injuries none are serious enough to miss any games. Great news for the Cowboys here with the season almost underway.