Over the past several seasons, the strength of the Dallas Cowboys roster has been the offensive line. Regardless of the drama or inconsistency plaguing the rest of the offense, the giants in the trenches have been the anchors holding Dallas’ roster together. At this point in the season, a team needs to lean on their most reliable tools to make it into the playoffs.
Cowboys’ Best Two Offensive Linemen Out on Wednesday
While Dallas has relied on their offensive line this season, the best part of that group has undoubtedly been made of two players: left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zach Martin. Unfortunately for Dallas, their two best offensive linemen failed to practice on Wednesday and are looking unlikely to take the field against the overpowering Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Smith has been with the team since he was drafted with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and has gone on to be named to eight pro bowls in that span. Martin was drafted by Dallas with the sixteenth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and has been named first team All-Pro six times in that span. It can be left unsaid that missing these two brutes would be a major setback for Dallas this weekend.
While the running game hasn’t been as consistent, the offensive line of Dallas has allowed quarterback Dak Prescott to put up impressive numbers this season as he has been in the talks of the Most Valuable Player award all season. Without his best weapons, Prescott may need to rely more on his middling elusiveness to make plays as the pocket may not look nearly as clean as it normally does for him.
The injuries couldn’t come at a worse time for Dallas as the team desperately clings to the lead in the NFC East over the powerhouse Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas currently relies on the tiebreaker to ward off Philadelphia and essentially can’t afford to lose another game this season.
Dallas will likely start backup left tackle Chuma Edoga in place of Smith and undrafted rookie right guard T.J. Bass in place of Martin. Neither of the two backups have seem substantial time in blockbuster games this season. Bass will most likely need additional help in the form of double teams and chips to defend his star quarterback from elite defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
After Miami, Dallas closes the season out against the NFC Powerhouse Detroit Lions and the squandering Washington Commanders. Dallas will need all of the help it can get as it attempts to ward off the Eagles and potentially make a push over San Francisco as the number one seed in the NFC. Due to the rule changes in recent years, only the number one seed will retain a first-round bye and enjoy advantage in the 2023 NFL Playoffs.
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