NFL Rumors: Dallas Cowboys May Look For Offensive Line Help
The Dallas Cowboys went into the off-season knowing they needed help on the offensive line. They addressed that need by signing Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings to help on the interior of their line. Less than a week into camp, it may not be enough.
Injuries to Bernadeau and second-year lineman Kevin Kowalski haven’t allowed them to see the field yet and in the past few practices, Livings and Bill Nagy have gotten hurt as well. Nagy appears to have the dreaded high ankle sprain and will probably be out 2-4 weeks, while Livings has a hyper-extended knee and may only miss a day or two.
Add up all the injuries and the Cowboys look shorthanded on their offensive line. So short that Cowboys VP Stephen Jones mentioned the Cowboys may have to start looking at some veteran offensive linemen at some point. Jones said the Cowboys know who is available if they needed to make a move but doesn’t see the need for it yet.
Looking at the Cowboys’ offensive line’s depth chart, perhaps that day is coming. With all the injuries, they have only five linemen with any game experience practicing, not to mention only one true center in Phil Costa. Both Kowalski and Nagy were expected to get reps at the position but it appears the injuries have forced David Arkin to take some snaps at center, along with undrafted rookie Harland Gunn.
In my opinion, the Cowboys’ biggest mistake this off-season was not making a play on a center in free agency. I would have preferred they spent their money on Houston Texans center Chris Myers rather than two mediocre guards. Even veteran guys like Jeff Saturday or Scott Wells would have been a big upgrade. Obviously that did not happen and perhaps the Cowboys regret not making that type of move now.
It’s still too early to tell what they will do but anyway you look at it the Cowboys need to get players healthy and on the field, otherwise they may be dipping into to free agent market for some more help.
