In a devastating blow to their playoff aspirations, the Dallas Cowboys will be without two of their most indispensable players when they face off against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. According to sources close to the team, All-Pro right guard Zack Martin and star cornerback Trevon Diggs have both been ruled out due to injuries, leaving gaping holes in the Cowboys’ roster at a critical juncture in the season.
A Mounting Injury Crisis
The loss of Martin and Diggs is just the latest in a series of setbacks for a Cowboys team that has been ravaged by injuries this year. Quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks are already on injured reserve, representing a staggering $75 million in sidelined salary cap space. With Martin and Diggs now joining them on the shelf, the Cowboys will be without more than $100 million worth of talent as they try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against a surging Commanders squad.
Losing Zack and Trevon is a huge blow, no question about it. But we’ve dealt with adversity all year, and we’ll keep fighting. Next man up.
– A Cowboys team source
Martin’s Absence Leaves O-Line in Shambles
Martin, a perennial Pro Bowler and the anchor of the Cowboys’ offensive line, has been battling ankle and shoulder injuries all season. He sat out practice all week and was officially ruled out on Saturday. His absence will force the Cowboys to turn to backup T.J. Bass, who will be thrust into the spotlight against a formidable Commanders’ defensive front. With left tackle Tyler Guyton and left guard Tyler Smith also nursing injuries, the Cowboys’ once-vaunted offensive line looks more like a MASH unit than a cohesive unit as they head into hostile territory at FedEx Field.
Diggs Loss Decimates Secondary
If Martin’s injury left the Cowboys reeling, the loss of Diggs may be an even more crushing blow. The third-year cornerback has emerged as one of the league’s premier shutdown defenders, routinely neutralizing the opposition’s top receiving threats. With Diggs sidelined by groin and knee issues, the Cowboys will be forced to rely on DaRon Bland, who will be making his season debut after missing the first ten games with a foot injury. While Bland was a Pro Bowler in his own right last season, there’s no question that the Cowboys’ secondary is in a precarious position without their top playmaker roaming the backfield.
Reinforcements Arriving, But Will It Be Enough?
In an attempt to patch the gaping holes in their roster, the Cowboys activated tackle Chuma Edoga and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland from injured reserve on Saturday. While their return will provide a much-needed infusion of depth, it remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to make a significant impact after extended layoffs. The Cowboys also elevated tight end Princeton Fant from the practice squad with Jake Ferguson out due to a concussion, and brought up cornerback Kemon Hall for the second straight week. But with so many key contributors sidelined, the Cowboys will need everything to break their way to emerge victorious on Sunday.
A Season on the Brink
At 5-5, the Cowboys find themselves in the thick of a crowded NFC playoff picture, but their margin for error is razor-thin. A loss to the Commanders would be a devastating blow to their postseason aspirations, potentially dropping them two games off the pace in the NFC East with time running out. But if they can find a way to overcome their injury woes and steal a win on the road, it could be just the spark they need to mount a late-season surge. With so much on the line, one thing is certain: the eyes of the football world will be fixed squarely on FedEx Field come Sunday afternoon.
Key Takeaways:
- The Cowboys will be without star guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs against the Commanders
- Dallas is missing over $100 million in salary cap space due to injuries to key players
- Backup T.J. Bass will fill in for Martin, while DaRon Bland replaces Diggs in the secondary
- The Cowboys activated Chuma Edoga and Marshawn Kneeland from IR in a bid for reinforcements
- At 5-5, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes hang in the balance heading into Sunday’s pivotal matchup
As the Cowboys and Commanders prepare to square off in a game with massive postseason implications, one thing is clear: in a league where attrition is the norm, the war of injury may prove just as decisive as the battle on the gridiron. For a Cowboys team pushed to the brink, Sunday represents a chance to defy the odds, silence the doubters, and keep their flickering playoff dreams alive. But against a Washington squad riding high off a statement win, it will take a Herculean effort from a battered and bruised Dallas roster to emerge victorious and keep their improbable season afloat.
