The Dallas Cowboys announced that backup interior offensive lineman Matt Hennessy will undergo neck surgery to address a disc issue and will start the upcoming training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the news during a June 9 press conference. No timeline has yet been provided for Hennessy's return.
While Hennessy is not a starter--he played only 68 total snaps last season--the implications of his injury go beyond his individual snap count or role. His absence exposes a vulnerability in the Cowboys' depth along the interior offensive line, a position group previously seen as a strength.
The Cowboys return three clear starting-caliber interior linemen: center Cooper Beebe, 2024 third-round pick who showed promise in his rookie year; guard Tyler Smith, a Pro Bowl-level player; and the right guard spot unsettled among contenders like Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass. At tackle, Terence Steele remains the projected starter at right tackle, with left tackle still a competition between Tyler Guyton and veteran options.
With Hennessy sidelined, the number of experienced interior offensive linemen on the 90-man roster narrows. Beyond Smith and Beebe, the group includes T.J. Bass, a reliable swing player, and Nick Leverett and Trevor Keegan, who have significantly less experience. Leverett has started 14 games in his career, bouncing among teams, while Keegan, a 2024 sixth-round pick, did not see offensive snaps in his rookie season. Hennessy was the only veteran backup with substantial starting experience prior to his injury, having started 29 games for the Atlanta Falcons before joining Dallas.
This reduction to five viable interior linemen increases the risk for the Cowboys if injuries strike during the season. The team's salary cap situation further complicates matters. According to Over the Cap, as of June 2026, the Cowboys have $5.60 million in available cap space, with $42.45 million allocated to dead money and an active spending total of $283.04 million. This leaves limited financial flexibility to pursue significant midseason additions at interior line positions.
Hennessy's placement on the PUP list buys the Cowboys time as he does not count against the 53-man roster while on the list. However, the PUP rules require that once placed on the active/PUP list at the start of training camp, a player must miss at least the first four regular-season games. After that, there is a five-week window to begin practice participation. If the player does not return within this window, he is moved to injured reserve for the remainder of the year.
This means that the Cowboys could be without their third-most experienced interior offensive lineman for a significant portion, if not all, of the 2026 season. With the financial limitations and current roster composition, the front office faces a pressing need to consider adding depth proactively rather than waiting for injuries to expose the thinness of the position group.
General Manager Will McClay and the personnel staff would be wise to explore free-agent and waiver-wire options now, aiming to sign experienced interior linemen on cost-effective deals. Players like Connor Williams, Dalton Risner, or Connor McGovern could be potential targets if available and not under contract elsewhere. These signings would provide much-needed insurance without major cap implications.
Historically, the Cowboys have favored developing their own linemen through the draft and internal competition. While that approach has yielded success in the past, the current state of the offensive line--recovering from the loss of stalwarts Tyron Smith and Zack Martin over recent seasons--makes that strategy riskier. The 2025 season saw the Cowboys surrender 38 sacks and rank 17th in rushing yards per attempt, underscoring the need for stability and depth upfront.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer, at his recent press conference, expressed confidence in the group, praising the rookies and describing the offensive line as "maybe one of the most stable positions." Yet, stability among the starters does not fully compensate for the vulnerability the Cowboys now face behind them.
The loss of Hennessy is a stark reminder that depth in the NFL matters as much as the starting lineup, especially on the offensive line where cohesion and experience are critical. With Hennessy recovering from neck surgery and out for at least the early part of the season, the Cowboys' margin for error on the interior line is uncomfortably slim.
In summary, Matt Hennessy's surgery is more than just the loss of a backup lineman. It reveals a hidden fragility in Dallas's offensive line depth that could influence offseason acquisitions, training camp roster decisions, and early-season availability. The Cowboys have an opportunity now to bolster the position before camp progresses and the roster limit tightens.
Their ability to respond proactively will be crucial to sustaining offensive line performance, protecting the quarterback, and establishing the running game in the 2026 NFL season.