Cowboys lose key reserve poached from 49ers to offseason neck injury

The Cowboys offensive line depth took on hit on Tuesday, as veteran backup Matt Hennessy is facing a significant setback that could sideline him well into the 2026 season.

Speaking with reporters just before kicking off OTA’s, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Hennessey will require neck surgery to repair a disk and is expected to start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform List (PUP).

Hennessey, a former third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, was brought in this offseason to provide experience and insurance behind starting center Cooper Beebe. With 64 career games and 24 starts under this belt, the six-year veteran offered versatility and a proven understanding of multiple systems.

The injury adds immediate pressure for Dallas to explore external options if internal replacements are deemed inadequate. If Hennessy can return during training camp, he would be eligible to play in the regular season. If Dallas keeps him on PUP after final cuts, Hennessy would miss at least the first four games of the season.

This also makes it back-to-backs seasons in which the Cowboys have lost a free-agent offensive lineman to a neck injury. Last season, Dallas signed guard Robert Jones to a one-year, $3.75 million deal only for him to miss the season with a broken neck bone.

Ultimately, Hennessy’s situation underscores the fragile nature of NFL roster construction and will shape how the Cowboys manage their offense line both in training camp and beyond.

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