Denim Chicken
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Two weeks away from the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys fan base is already punching the panic button. That's what happens when two All-Pros go down in the span of a couple days.
First, standout guard Zack Martin injured his knee when a Cincinnati Bengals cornerback chopped Martin's legs as he looked to make an open-field block. Then, center Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which a person's immune system attacks their nerves.
While the Cowboys got lucky with Martin's prognosis (he should be back Week 1), Frederick's situation is murkier. It could take weeks for him to heal, or it could take a year. Former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth dealt with the disorder in 1993, and he ended up missing half of the season. Right now, it seems likely that Frederick will be out for at least the early portion of the season.
It's easy to understand why Cowboys supporters fear the prospect of playing without Frederick, a four-time Pro Bowler and 2016 All-Pro who has yet to miss a game in the NFL. The 27-year-old is the unquestioned leader of the Cowboys' offensive line. He sets the protection up and is largely responsible for giving quarterback Dak Prescott the room to step up in the pocket.
Replacing Frederick will be six-year veteran Joe Looney, who has started 13 total NFL games. Fortunately for Dallas, Looney is currently playing at the highest level of his career.
https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1590145?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
First, standout guard Zack Martin injured his knee when a Cincinnati Bengals cornerback chopped Martin's legs as he looked to make an open-field block. Then, center Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which a person's immune system attacks their nerves.
While the Cowboys got lucky with Martin's prognosis (he should be back Week 1), Frederick's situation is murkier. It could take weeks for him to heal, or it could take a year. Former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth dealt with the disorder in 1993, and he ended up missing half of the season. Right now, it seems likely that Frederick will be out for at least the early portion of the season.
It's easy to understand why Cowboys supporters fear the prospect of playing without Frederick, a four-time Pro Bowler and 2016 All-Pro who has yet to miss a game in the NFL. The 27-year-old is the unquestioned leader of the Cowboys' offensive line. He sets the protection up and is largely responsible for giving quarterback Dak Prescott the room to step up in the pocket.
Replacing Frederick will be six-year veteran Joe Looney, who has started 13 total NFL games. Fortunately for Dallas, Looney is currently playing at the highest level of his career.
https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1590145?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter