Mike McCarthy praises Matt Waletzko as lineman steps up to starting five due to injuries

The Dallas Cowboys practiced through most of OTAs and mandatory minicamp with an offensive line that will most likely change by the time training camp starts in late July.

A minor injury for Zack Martin and Terence Steele‘s ongoing ACL recovery have prevented the best five from being on the field all at once. However, the injuries have opened the door for some other players to step up.

Second-year Cowboys lineman Matt Waletzko is one of those linemen getting extra first-team reps. After Tyron Smith’s preseason injury last year resulted in Tyler Smith‘s ascendance to first-team left tackle, Waletzko served as the rookie’s backup.

A left shoulder subluxation in late October knocked the North Dakota alum out for the rest of the season but what Mike McCarthy saw from him after the injury only endeared him to the head coach more.

“Like all young players, you really don’t know until you get in there and see their capabilities,” McCarthy said of Waletzko at minicamp. “He didn’t miss a workout session, a rehab, put a tremendous amount of time into his shoulder recovery.

“He’s got better feet than we realized. Playing tackle with his length, he’s really shown the ability to bend inside. As always with the offensive line, position flex is important. Everybody’s been very, very impressed with Matt. He’s had a heck of an offseason.”

Mike McCarthy stresses ‘position flex’ for Cowboys line

Waletzko has been able to flex from guard to tackle on the right side and impressed while doing it. Martin, and likely Steele as well, will be back for training camp but he may still carve out a key role for himself this season.

McCarthy knows it would be nothing short of a miracle to make it through 17 regular season games with no injuries to the starting five. Earlier this week, the Cowboys coach commented on the impact the extra game has taken on the players, the offensive line especially, since the NFL made the addition.

“I think the 17th game impact is real. I have felt it with our team,” McCarthy said. “History will tell you continuity factors into your wins and losses. You look at the history of five offensive linemen lining up and starting every game of a season on the win total, I don’t recall the exact number, but it’s a significant number.”

Keeping position flex in mind, McCarthy tested out Tyler Smith at left guard this week at minicamp with Tyron Smith at left tackle. The former All-Pro hasn’t taken the spot back from the former Tulsa standout but the Cowboys are preparing for anything.