Everyone says positive developments at OTAs should be taken with a grain of salt, but if fans ignored every encouraging report, what would tide them over until training camp?
After all, even if buzz in May and June comes with caveats, it's still better than the alternative. And there have been too many positives to come out of Dallas Cowboys OTAs not to get a little excited.
Of course, no offseason program is completely free of bad news, and Brian Schottenheimer delivered a sobering update in that regard, confirming that veteran offensive lineman Matt Hennessy is having neck surgery and will open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP).
Hennessy was widely pegged to replace the departed Brock Hoffman as the backup center. With no timetable for a return, this is a brutal hit to Dallas' offensive line depth.
Matt Hennessy injury leaves the Dallas Cowboys' OL depth in a bind
Per reports, fourth-year pro T.J. Bass worked as the backup center. While versatile, he hasn't played a single snap at center as a pro, per Pro Football Focus. He's gotten plenty of reps at both guard spots, logging 490 snaps on the left side and 515 on the right, but zero at center. That's not ideal.
Bass also didn't play any center in college. He started as a left guard at Oregon before moving to left tackle full-time in his final season in 2022.
Signed to a modest one-year contract in March, Hennessy was a sneaky-good pickup by the Cowboys. He appeared in all 17 games for the San Francisco 49ers last season and brings 64 games played, including 24 starts, to a Dallas offensive line that lacks proven depth behind the starting five.
Bass is one of the better backup guards in the NFL, which can explain why Dallas placed a second-round tender on him this offseason, but he was on an island prior to Hennessy's arrival.
At tackle, there's Nate Thomas, who's had more lows than highs when filling in for Tyler Guyton or Terence Steele, as well as rookie fourth-round pick Drew Shelton and former seventh-rounder Ajani Cornelius.
Hennessy and Bass made you feel even better about the Cowboys' interior, which is remarkable, given how impressive Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Tyler Booker were last season. That trio is looking to build on its success and cement itself as one of the best interior trios in football.
But all of a sudden, the Cowboys are one injury away from having real questions. Can Bass hold up at center? Booker didn't play any center at Alabama, and you probably don't want to move him from right guard anyway.
The seriousness of neck injuries goes without saying. Hopefully, Hennessy is able to make a full and swift recovery. If not, Dallas may have to get another vet in the building.
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