OXNARD, Calif.– The scariest part of Tuesday's practice with the Rams had nothing to do with a fight, punches thrown or anyone in a headlock.
However, the five minutes that All-Pro guard Zack Martin spent on the ground as the medical team looked at his neck injury had the Cowboys was the biggest cause for concern.
As the Cowboys enjoy a much-needed day off on Wednesday, the word around camp is certainly a positive one surrounding Martin, who suffered a stringer when he collided with a Rams defender helmet-to-helmet.
While the Cowboys will remain cautious with Martin like they have with all injured players, it's likely the All-Pro guard will miss the rest of the week and perhaps Sunday's preseason game with the 49ers.
Four of the starting five offensive linemen are now banged up, leaving only center Travis Frederick with the first-team group during practice. Tyron Smith (biceps), Ron Leary (back), Doug Free (foot) and now Martin are all banged up. The good news for the Cowboys is neither of those four have serious injury concerns that might prevent them from playing in the Sept. 13 season opener.
[embeddedad0]Martin's injury will likely give more reps to veteran backup Mackenzy Bernadeau, assuming Leary is still held out. If Leary returns to his left guard post, look for rookie La'el Collins to get more reps with the first-team at right guard.
Martin, the 16th overall pick in the 2014 draft, became the first Cowboys player since Calvin Hill (1969) to earn All-Pro honors as a rookie.
