The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious position, grappling with a rash of offensive line injuries that have prompted an unexpected move: a workout for veteran lineman La’el Collins. This potential reunion marks a significant development, as the team desperately seeks experienced depth to bolster its front five.
La’el Collins has a storied, albeit sometimes tumultuous, history with the Dallas Cowboys. Signed by the team as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Collins quickly established himself as a formidable presence, starting 71 games from 2015 through 2021 and becoming a key component of the Cowboys’ offensive line in the NFL.
His tenure with the team concluded in 2022 when he was released with three years remaining on his contract. Collins subsequently signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played in 15 games before sustaining a significant ACL tear, ultimately leading to his release early in the 2023 season.
The Cowboys had briefly brought Collins back into the fold in January 2024, adding him to their practice squad as an insurance piece. However, he did not see any game action before the team’s playoff elimination, leaving his potential football comeback in question.
The urgency for the Cowboys to address their offensive line issues has escalated dramatically in recent days due to a series of debilitating NFL injuries. First-round draft pick Tyler Guyton is projected to miss four to six weeks with a bone fracture and sprained knee, while starter Terence Steele is nursing an ankle concern. Further compounding the crisis, Rob Jones sustained a neck injury, Hakeem Adeniji is out with a concussion, and Matt Waletzko is dealing with an ankle issue, highlighting the critical need for immediate reinforcement.
Despite nearly 1,000 days passing since La’el Collins last played in an NFL game, his versatility—being able to play both guard and tackle—and his existing familiarity with many Dallas Cowboys players, including close friend Dak Prescott, make him an appealing option. This pre-existing chemistry could significantly aid his swift re-acclimation if his football comeback proves successful.
Collins’s scheduled workout for Dallas coaches in Oxnard on Friday is thus a pivotal moment. It represents a genuine opportunity for him to demonstrate his current conditioning and readiness, potentially paving the way for his return to the Dallas Cowboys active roster and providing much-needed stability to a beleaguered offensive line.
Given the severity of the NFL injuries currently plaguing the team, the Dallas Cowboys are not in a position to be overly selective regarding where they acquire experienced offensive line help. This pragmatic approach makes La’el Collins a viable, if unexpected, candidate to fill a crucial void and mitigate the immediate impact of their mounting personnel challenges.
Ultimately, the outcome of this workout could significantly shape the Cowboys’ offensive line strategy for the upcoming season, offering a potential solution to their injury woes and a dramatic football comeback narrative for La’el Collins. The stakes are high for both the player and the team as they navigate this challenging period.
