2. Jason Peters/Josh Ball
Terence Steele’s torn ACL injury will be a much bigger blow than people might think. With Zack Martin at right guard and Steele at right tackle, the two linemen owned that side of the ball.
After Steele had a very rough 2021 season, he really became a big part of Dallas’ offensive line this time around. He allowed just one sack all year and graded out at 73.9 on the year, according to PFF (highest on the team).
Unfortunately, that grade is now complete.
Zack Martin recently turned to the Cowboys sideline and signaled to run a play again. That play? Duo. “It is what our offense is built off of.” A deeper dive into the concept and how Martin and Terence Steele’s combination blocks help make it work. https://t.co/WoCZ007KAV pic.twitter.com/N3IbmL95kA
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 9, 2022
Now the Cowboys must try to replace him on the right side. Last week, the Cowboys tried both Josh Ball and Jason Peters at that spot after Steele went down. One was great. The other, not so much.
In a crucial drive with 6:31 remaining, Ball allowed a strip sack and a pressure on consecutive plays. On first down, the second-year lineman allowed Prescott to get hit and fumble the football. Then, on second down, he allowed a pressure that caused Prescott’s arm to get hit for an interception.
Ball was then replaced by Peters on the ensuing drive. Peters, who hasn’t played right tackle since 2005, filled in on the final 98-yard drive and looked as sharp as ever there.
Jason Peters hadn’t played RT since 2005. The old regime wouldn’t have made this move. Not ONE bad play by Peters during the game winning drive. People don’t understand the challenge to go from the left side to the right. Amazing work to save the game. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/8G571WiaSN
— Ernie (@es3_09) December 13, 2022
Now it remains unseen what the Cowboys will do at that position on Sunday. Peters has yet to play more than 21 snaps in a game this season, and at 40 years old, it would be shocking for him to play an entire game.
The Cowboys will also welcome back Tyron Smith in this game, which is big news for their offensive line, but he is expected to be on a limited snap count.
So, Peters and Ball will see a decent amount of action. If the Cowboys do rotate between them both, they will have big shoes to fill. Peters has looked solid in the action he has seen this season, while Ball hasn’t. That makes this is a great game for the Cowboys to see what they have in their 2021 fourth-round pick.