Cowboys will be without Zack Martin after testing positive for COVID

The Dallas Cowboys got brutal news on Sunday morning, with word coming down on star guard Zack Martin having to miss the season opener with COVID.

Life just got harder on Dak Prescott.

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback, back for his first game since breaking and dislocating his ankle in October, will be without his best offensive lineman. On Sunday, team beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. reported Dallas will be without Martin, who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Without Martin, Dallas will have to piecemeal in front of Prescott, who is facing the defending-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Furthermore, no team has a better front in football led by Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh on the interior, and edge rushers Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.

The Cowboys will be without Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin on Thursday night

Dallas comes into the game as a 7.5-point underdog and while Martin’s injury might not move the line, it’s incredibly significant. Without the Notre Dame product, the Cowboys are more susceptible to quick pressure up the middle, forcing Prescott to move quickly on his repaired ankle. We’re likely going to find out exactly how much he trusts it.

Martin is an eighth-year pro who is putting together a potential Hall of Fame career. He’s been named to six Pro Bowls and is a four-time, First-Team All-Pro. In fact, last season was the first of his time in Dallas where Martin didn’t earn a Pro Bowl nod, only playing in 10 games.