Zack Martin, Tyler Biadasz expected to make return for Cowboys vs Patriots
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to return starting center Tyler Biadasz and starting right guard Zack Martin on Sunday afternoon against the Patriots. The All-Pro duo increased their activity in practice this week after sitting out of the Cowboys’ Week 3 loss against the Cardinals and are now expected to start in Week 4, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Although they’ll return Biadasz and Martin, it’s not all good news for Dallas. On Friday, the Cowboys officially ruled starting left tackle Tyron Smith out.
Smith was a late addition to the injury report last week and though he warmed up on Sunday, he ended up watching the loss from the sidelines. This week, he didn’t participate in practice from Wednesday through Friday.
Missing three of the five starting linemen last Sunday, the line allowed two sacks on quarterback Dak Prescott. It also gave up five tackles for loss.
The Cowboys had undrafted rookie TJ Bass, undrafted rookie Brock Hoffman, and free agent pickup Chuma Edoga in as the replacements for Zack Martin, Tyler Biadasz and Smith last weekend. Edoga will once again fill in for the veteran left tackle due to his knee.
Martin and Biadasz were questionable on Saturday’s injury report, as was tight end Peyton Hendershot. He was a late addition to the injury report on Friday due to an ankle injury. His status for Sunday remains up in the air. He’s had one catch for three yards so far this season.
Dallas Cowboys favored in home game against Patriots
The 2-1 Cowboys are favored to win their Sunday home game against the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick’s squad is a 5.5-point underdog after starting the season 1-2. The last time the two teams played, the Cowboys won 35-29 in overtime.
Sunday also marks running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s first game back in AT&T Stadium. Jerry Jones revealed this week that the team is planning a pre-game surprise of some sort to celebrate Zeke’s time with the team. The first-rounder was with Dallas for seven seasons before joining New England last month as a free agent.
According to Ian Rapoport, Elliott will get “starter reps” for the Patriots against his former squad. He’s coming off of his best game of the season so far in New England’s win over the struggling Jets. He posted 80 yards on 16 carries in the 15-10 victory.
Kickoff between the Cowboys and Patriots is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.