Zack Martin Escapes Knee Ligament Damage

The injury to Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Zack Martin is not as serious as first feared, according to reports.

Zack Martin injured his left knee during Saturday’s 21-13 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys had feared ligament damage prior to an MRI scan.

After Zack Martin took an MRI on Sunday, it was confirmed that he didn’t suffer ligament damage. Per NFL.com’s Adam Maya, Martin suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruising.

While he may not play again in preseason, this move will be a precautionary one. He is still in line to start Week 1 for the Cowboys.

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The Dallas Cowboys will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning. Martin is a vital piece of the Cowboys’ run game. The 27-year-old is the second-highest paid interior lineman in the NFL, after signing a new contract this summer.

Martin’s new deal is worth $84 million with $40 million guaranteed, and extends him for another 6 years.

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The Dallas Cowboys begin their NFL season on September 9 away to the Carolina Panthers. If Martin starts, it will be his 65th straight start for the Cowboys.

Since being picked 16th overall by Dallas in the 2014 NFL draft, he has not missed a game in the NFL.

As well as that, 2017 was Martin’s fourth straight All-Pro season. He will be crucial to Dallas Cowboys’ chances of competing this season.

According to Bleacher Report, Martin is one of the league’s best.

The 27-year-old sat third in Bleacher Report’s NFL1000 year-end ranking of the top offensive guards.

“When he engages, Martin latches onto his defender like an octopus and starts pushing back right away,” B/R’s Doug Farrar wrote. “He’s able to match aggression with technique, making him one of the best power-blockers of his generation.”