Having re-emerged from 3-9 to remain in contention for the NFC East title, the Cowboys could have their perennial All-Pro guard back if they make the playoffs.
The team activated Zack Martin off IR on Saturday, after reopening his 21-day activation window earlier this week. But the seventh-year standout is not yet ready to return. Martin will not travel with the Cowboys for their Week 17 game against the Giants, but Jerry Jones said a postseason return is in play.
“In the future, we could push it and it would give us a dramatic upgrade and it really is the reason for a real optimistic thought about what happens if we could get in the playoffs,” Jones said during an interview with 105.3 The Fan (via the Dallas Morning News). “It’s a real, valid, tangible thing to hang your hat on.”
Martin has missed the past four games with a calf injury, one that was set to end his season. But the Cowboys will carry the six-time Pro Bowler on their active roster for Week 17 and perhaps beyond. A four-time first-team All-Pro, Martin has seen time at tackle this season as well. The Cowboys are already down Tyron Smith and La’el Collins for the season, but Martin’s return would be an obvious boon for their chances at a playoff upset — if they are to qualify.
The team has won three straight games to move into this position. A Cowboys win over the Giants and an Eagles win over Washington would secure Dallas an unlikely NFC East title.
I don’t like the Cowboys chances if it comes down to Zuerlein having to hit a long range FG for the win. He’s only 2 of 8 from 50 or more yards out.
But he’s 28 of 29 from 49yds and less. That’s what matters, and where kickers make their money.
It’s interesting though how that “50” barrier works psychologically on some kickers. You wouldn’t think an extra yard would matter.
It definitely plagues the majority of them. Watching Zuerlein is a heck of a lot better than holding my breath when Maher took the field though. That’s for sure.
I haven’t heard anyone reference the worst division ever but it would sure seem like it would have to be.
Dallas needs to draft heavy on the O-line and D—line. They are not that far away from contending. The O-line was decimated with injuries this year and the middle of the D-line was hurt with the injury to Gerald McCoy and out of shape/overweight Donatari Poe.
Yes, O-Line and all defensive positions.