Dallas Cowboys Guard Mackenzy Bernadeau Out 10-12 Weeks After Hip Surgery

Less than two weeks ago, the Cowboys O-line coach Bill Callahan talked about the tentative starting line-up for his O-line. At the time, that line-up included Mackenzy Bernadeau at right guard, who was rehabbing his injured hip during the team's offseason workouts under the supervision of Cowboys trainers.

Today, it looks like Callahan may have to rethink his options along the offensive line. Bernadeau underwent surgery over the weekend to repair the tear in his right hip, according to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas.

Archer further writes that Bernadeau could be out of action for 10-to-12 weeks, a time frame which would make him miss all OTAs and the minicamp, and possibly part of training camp as well.

The 6-4, 325 pound former Panther could have provided some much needed muscle and beef for the interior O-line, but his spot will now likely be hotly contested between 2011 rookies David Arkin, Bill Nagy and Kevin Kowalski as well as 2012 college free agent Ronald Leary.

Bryan McIntyre, in his first week writing for NFL.com, reports that while Bernadeau is due a $1 million base salary in 2012, his contract contains a $250,000 de-escalator clause tied to his completion of the offseason workouts. If Bernadeau recovers, he could wind up playing for $750,000 this season. The downside obviously is that he may not play at all if he doesn't recover sufficiently.