Cowboys desolate offensive line takes yet another hit in first drive vs. Bucs

The absolute last thing that the Dallas Cowboys needed to happen in Week 1 happened. With an already injury-riddled and inexperienced offensive line (minus Zack Martin) heading into the 2022 season, left guard Connor McGovern went down with an injury in the first drive of the game.

After losing Tyron Smith for at least four months to a knee injury to end the preseason, Dallas was forced to move rookie first-round pick Tyler Smith to left tackle, leaving McGovern to fill in at left guard.

The third-year offensive lineman didn’t even make it through the first five minutes of the game. On an Ezekiel Elliott run play, Tampa Bay Bucs defensive end William Gholston appeared to unintentionally roll onto the back of McGovern’s leg. The 24-year-old grabbed his right ankle and quickly received attention from the medical staff.

He was brought straight to the locker room by two staffers.

Cowboys left guard Connor McGovern suffers an ankle injury early in Week 1

The Cowboys initially deemed his return questionable.

Fans even got a glimmer of hope when McGovern walked back onto the field from the locker room under his own power carrying his helmet. He was seen testing his ankle on the sideline.

However, moments later, Jon Machota tweeted that the Penn State alum appeared to be done for the night, forcing Matt Farniok to fill in at left guard.

Farniok is in his second year with the Cowboys. He played in 12 games as a rookie last season but struggled to stay consistent this preseason.

This depleted offensive line certainly didn’t need more challenges. Jason Peters is in the building but still isn’t quite ready to take the field. We hope that McGovern’s injury isn’t too serious and that he can rejoin the offensive line soon.

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