Cowboys right guard Zack Martin caused some concern when he showed up on the team’s injury report this week with a groin injury. The issue had the eight-time Pro Bowler listed as “limited” on both Thursday and Friday.
Martin’s own words and what he did in practice on Friday were cause for optimism among Cowboys Nation heading into Week 2’s home opener against the Jets, but officially, he’s considered questionable for Sunday’s game.
Saturday, however, will be very telling in regard to his actual gameday outlook.
In his regular Thursday appearance, the 32-year-old lineman told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan shortly after first appearing on the team’s injury report, “Oh, I’m doing good. It was just a little tight. They were taking care of me today.”
Martin’s nonchalant answer about the injury was perhaps bolstered by news that he “took every rep” in Friday’s practice (according to head coach Mike McCarthy), despite keeping the “limited” classification for a second straight day.
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
The future Hall of Famer is expected to start, but as Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News points out, Saturday’s practice squad elevations will provide a major clue.
If the club uses one of their two gameday elevations on Sean Harlow, Alex Taylor-Prioleau, or Earl Bostick Jr., it’s a sign that the Cowboys coaching staff acknowledges a “realistic chance” that Martin will need to sit.
If the elevations are used on other positions, the team likely feels good about Martin’s state of readiness.
Martin is slated to line up against Jets veteran defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the No. 3 player chosen in 2019’s draft and a first-team All-Pro last year.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]
[mm-video type=video id=01haakca2bcr443wvf1n playlist_id=01eqbwens7sctqdrqg player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01haakca2bcr443wvf1n/01haakca2bcr443wvf1n-5d025a78c3b92006a5d8607b63e7f57d.jpg]