:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60946367/usa_today_11100847.0.jpg)
The MRI is complete on Zack Martin and the diagnosis is optimistic. The Cowboys star guard could be available for the season-opener.
Cowboys have received results of Zack Martin’s MRI & it’s encouraging. Source said there’s no significant injury to left knee & he could be ready for opener against Carolina on Sept. 9.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) August 19, 2018
That’s not a bad outcome compared to what many thought could have been the case when Martin went down with injury during the Bengals game. Previously ESPN reported that Martin has a hyperextended knee.
UPDATE:
After MRI today on his hyperextended left knee, the Cowboys believe Zack Martin will be able to play in the Sept. 9 season opener at Carolina, according to a source. The knee checked out fine structurally and he is dealing with a bone bruise.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 19, 2018
UPDATE: The bone bruise element adds a little more complexity to the situation. That has been problematic for players in the past. We’ll ahve to wait to hear more on this.
When Bengals defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick went low and struck Martin in the knee with his helmet, Cowboys Nation went into collective meltdown. As he gingerly limped off the field, the 2018 season started flashing before our eyes. Martin is a very durable player and is generally regarded as one of the top guards in the game. The Cowboys just paid him like that when they gave him a six-year, $84 million contract.
If Martin misses any games, Joe Looney will likely likely be the guy to step in. He can’t replace Martin, but it should be said that Looney is certainly having a very good camp and performed well on Saturday night in place of Travis Frederick. The Cowboys star center, Frederick, gave the fanbase another injury scare this past week when he had to be evaluated by a specialist for neck stingers. That turned out to be okay for now, with rest prescribed for recovery. It’s likely Martin will be joining him on the “rest” train, as they work toward being healthy for the opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 9th.