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Cowboys All-Pro Zack Martin to undergo season-ending ankle surgery, football future in doubt – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Zack Martin’s 2024 season has come to an abrupt end due to injury and questions arise around it possibly being his last in the NFL.
“Zack is going to have season-ending surgery on his ankle,” McCarthy said Thursday. “We started off a couple of weeks ago, we felt with the two weeks prior to Cincinnati, we felt this was a good path for him to try to get back for the Cincinnati game. But as he went through the protocol and the planning, Friday, things didn’t look quite as good as we hoped, then there were some more studies and a conversation that went on yesterday. Everybody involved thought it was best for him to get the surgery. There was hope still Friday. Britt with the rehab process, goal was back for Cincinnati. Monday, Tuesday, it looked like it was going in a different direction.”
Martin’s seven first-team All-Pro selections are tied for the most in NFL history among offensive guards with Hall of Famers Randall McDaniel and John Hannah, is in the final year of his contract in 2024, his 11th NFL season. He turned 34-years-old Nov. 20, so it’s natural to wonder if this season is his last. His on-field production has been nothing short of excellent. Martin is a nine-time Pro Bowler who has the fewer career holding penalties (six) as he does first-team All-Pro selections (seven).
“Clearly a Hall of Famer,” McCarthy said of Martin. “Not only for the way he plays but just first class. He just commands a lot of respect. Same person, personality every single day. Hard working. True team guy. Puts the team first. He’s been a joy to work with and I can’t say enough great things about him.”
Joe Burrow, struggling Bengals pose threat Cowboys haven’t yet faced this season – Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News
While the Bengals’ record may not reflect it, the Cowboys will be challenged to keep up with them on MNF.
The biggest issue for Dallas would appear to be their inability to stop people at the goal line. The Cowboys rank 32nd in touchdown percentage when teams get inside the 20-yard line. The Bengals’ offense ranks second in touchdown percentage when they penetrate the 20. How do you correct that in one night? Keep the Bengals outside the 20 for most of four quarters?
As for the other side of the ball, the Cowboys just aren’t built for shootouts. That was true when the club broke camp fully healthy, even if management didn’t want to admit it. The total absence of a running game put too much pressure on Dak Prescott and Lamb to do everything, and the whole thing basically collapsed. Remember that even when Dak was around and the Cowboys won back-to-back road games in New York and Pittsburgh, those were 20-15 and 20-17 slow-motion slogs.
With Rush at quarterback, the Cowboys are 2-2 and have totaled 77 points in the four games against opponents allowing a combined 86.5 points per game. So that’s a subpar performance before we even factor out the two touchdowns on kickoff returns scored in the final minute in Washington. What gets recorded as a 34-26 victory was a 10-9 Cowboys lead with nine minutes to go. Those are the kinds of games Dallas has had to play in order to win.
Micah on MNF: ‘I’ve got to be best player on the field’ – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys will need the best version of Micah Parsons on Monday night when they face Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
“I’ve got to do my job at extremely high level. I got to be the best player on the field,” Parsons said on Thursday. “If Joe Burrow’s record was opposite (8-4 instead of 4-8), he’ll be the leading running for MVP. I still think he should be the MVP. I mean he’s leading in passing yards, passing touchdowns this year.”
Parsons said Burrow is playing like he did at LSU when he won the Heisman Trophy in 2019. Ironically enough, Burrow is the first five straight former Heisman Trophy winners the Cowboys will face to end the regular season.
But Burrow was arguably the best of all of them, and he’s playing like that this year. The only difference is he’s not getting the same defensive help, which has led to the Bengals’ struggles.
Cincinnati is still averaging over 27 points per game, good for fifth in the NFL this year.
“You give me someone who’s better than JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins right now,” Parsons said of the Bengals’ two receivers. “That duo right there is none other than the best in the NFL. So I’m excited for the challenge.”
Dallas Cowboys expected to have key offensive playmaker back vs. Bengals – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated
After missing a few games due to a concussion, Jake Ferguson is expected to be ready to go this week against the Bengals.
Star tight end Jake Ferguson, who has missed the past two games with a concussion, was back on the practice field Thursday.
Ferguson cleared concussion protocol and is on track to play on Monday night.
Ferguson had high hopes entering the 2024-25 NFL campaign after a breakout sophomore performance a season ago, but injuries have held him back.
Ferguson has just 43 catches for 369 yards and zero touchdowns on the season.
In Ferguson’s absence, 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker has stepped up for the Cowboys. Schoolmaker has at least 3 catches and 33 yards in each of his previous three outings.
During that stretch, Schoonmaker has recorded 14 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown.
While it has been admirable production, there is no denying the impact Ferguson has on the team’s offense when he is healthy — especially on the field at the same time with as CeeDee Lamb. So, we could once again see an evolved version of the team’s offense in Week 14.
