Cowboys news: Former Dallas OL forced to retire after medical scare

The Dallas Cowboys' offseason got off to a tumultuous start after they allowed stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith to leave as a free agent. The offensive line lost a second starter after center Tyler Biadasz rejoined Dan Quinn on the Commanders.

To their credit, the Cowboys pivoted by drafting Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton in round one to replace Smith and Kansas State lineman Cooper Beebe in round three. Beebe is expected to compete for the starting center job.

Like most teams, the Cowboys' OL has experienced a ton of turnover over the years. Smith, Biadasz, Connor McGovern, La'el Collins and Connor Williams headline the list of former starters who have left since 2022.

While Dallas has decent depth up front, it wouldn't hurt to sign an experienced center to mentor Beebe and Brock Hoffman. Unfortunately, reuniting with 2023 practice squad mainstay Billy Price is no longer an option after he was forced to retire following a medical scare.

Former Cowboys center Billy Price retires from the NFL

"In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away," Price said on Instagram. "On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs. As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying. I am truly thankful to be alive today. Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk."

A first-round pick of the Bengals in 2018, Price spent the entire 2023 season on the Cowboys' practice squad. He was signed in September after Biadasz suffered a hamstring injury in practice. Though Biadasz missed the Week 3 loss in Arizona due to the injury, Price wasn't activated for the game.

Biadasz was injured during a Thursday practice before a Sunday game. It stands to reason that he three-day turnaround was too quick for Price to get elevated. With the Cowboys in need of reinforcements on their interior OL, Price stuck with the practice squad for the remainder of the season, though he never appeared in a game.

Price last started 11 games for the Cardinals two seasons ago. He started 15 games for the rival Giants the year prior in 2021 following a three-year stint with the Bengals. In total, the Ohio State product appeared in 69 games over five seasons, making 45 starts.

It's beyond unfortunate that Price's career was cut short on such frightening terms. A class act on and off the field, we wish Price a speedy recovery and a happy life in retirement.

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