Dallas Cowboys loss of Zack Martin could be detrimental

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys offense received both good news and bad news ahead of its season opener against the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers: right tackle La’el Collins will return to practice Sunday morning, per The Athletic, but Zack Martin tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to sit out for Week 1.

To understand just how big an impact the loss of Martin might be, consider his Pro Football Focus blocking grade: last year, Martin received a 91.3 grade from Pro Football Focus — making him the second highest-ranked right guard in the NFL.

According to The Athletic, Martin will be replaced by Connor McGovern — a significant downgrade by Pro Football Focus’ metrics. While Martin finished with a 91.3 grade, McGovern in replacement reps scored just a 61.7 grade.

Martin was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, coming off the board with the 16th-overall pick. The Notre Dame alum became an immediate force on the offensive line; he was named a first team All-Pro four times, including his rookie season in 2014, and a second team All-Pro twice. In the mid 2010’s, when the Cowboys had one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks behind the likes of DeMarco Murray, Darren McFadden and later Ezekiel Elliott, Martin was seen as one of Dallas’ best offensive lineman. He was named to the NFL’s 2010’s All-Decade team, despite not making his debut until 2014.

McGovern, drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, has far less NFL experience than Martin. He’s played in 14 NFL games since being selected out of Penn State, starting just eight.

On the other hand, one key offensive lineman, Collins, returns to the practice field after suffering from neck stingers. He had been sidelined for the entire last week of practice, after the issue arose earlier during training camp. In his absence, reserve tackles Ty Nsekhe and Terence Steele were taking snaps at right tackle, but Martin remains sidelined.

Collins, a product of LSU, was one of the SEC’s top run blockers in his time with the Tigers. However, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft after unique circumstances arose. Once regarded as a potential first-round pick, Collins’ draft stock began to plummet after reports surfaced that he was scheduled to meet with Louisiana police in connection with the ongoing case of a Baton Rouge shooting.

Collins instead signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, where he has played guard, left tackle and right tackle, alongside Martin for most of his NFL career. He’s started 61 of the 62 NFL games in which he’s appeared, and has been a mainstay on the line that blocks for star running back Ezekiel Elliott.