Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin will have season-ending surgery on his right ankle, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced Thursday.
McCarthy acknowledged that he had a conversation with Martin this week, with the latter determining that surgery was the best avenue toward recovery.
“He’s gonna be missed,” McCarthy said. “We’re not gonna replace Zack Martin, by any means. … He brings so much to the team and the team culture. We all recognize what kind of player he’s been here in Dallas, but the type of person he is — people gravitate to him. His leadership, he’ll definitely be missed in that area.”
Martin, 34, is in the final year of his contract. He said in June that retirement was an option following this season.
A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Martin was named the Cowboys’ 2024 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award on Thursday.
Martin last played in Dallas’ 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Nov. 18.
He has started 10 games this season and all 162 in which he has played since the Cowboys selected him with the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
