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Dallas on Red Alert! 5 Key Starters Injured – Cowboys Call in $50M Former Star for Reinforcements!

Posted on August 1, 2025 - 1:56 am by

The Dallas Cowboys are sounding the alarm as their offensive line faces a crisis just days into training camp. With five key linemen sidelined by injuries, the team is turning to a familiar face to bolster their roster: veteran offensive lineman La’el Collins. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that the Cowboys are hosting Collins for a workout on August 1, 2025, signaling a potential reunion with the former $50 million star.

The Cowboys’ offensive line, a cornerstone of their success, is reeling from a string of injuries that have struck with alarming speed. In the past week alone, four linemen—Trevor Guyton (knee), Rob Jones (neck), Matt Waletzko (ankle), and Hakeem Adeniji (concussion)—have been sidelined. Adding to the concern, left guard Tyler Smith left practice early on July 31 with knee soreness. With training camp barely underway, the mounting injury toll has Dallas scrambling to shore up their front line.

Enter La’el Collins, a battle-tested veteran who started 71 of 74 games across three stints with the Cowboys. Once a cornerstone of Dallas’ offensive line, Collins inked a five-year, $50 million contract with the team, set to run through 2024. However, the Cowboys released him in 2022, and he went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals before briefly returning to Dallas’ practice squad in January 2024. Most recently, Collins was cut by the Buffalo Bills in August 2024 as they finalized their roster.

Now, with the Cowboys in dire need, Collins is back in the fold for a workout that could pave the way for a team-friendly deal. According to Archer, Collins attended the retirement ceremonies of Cowboys legends Zack Martin and Tyron Smith during the offseason, appearing in top physical form. His familiarity with the team and proven track record make him an intriguing option to stabilize the injury-ravaged line.

Quarterback Dak Prescott is among those rooting for Collins’ return. In a heartfelt endorsement, Prescott shared that Collins promised his children, “I’m going to protect your daddy.” The Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt reported Prescott’s hope that Collins “kills” his workout, underscoring the quarterback’s confidence in his former teammate. With Prescott’s support and Collins’ experience, the stage is set for a potential comeback story.

Collins hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2022, but he hasn’t been idle. Blogging The Boys’ Brandon Loree noted that Collins has spent the offseason training rigorously with renowned coach Duke Manyweather, ensuring he’s in peak condition for an opportunity like this. As the Cowboys evaluate him on August 1, Collins is poised to prove he’s ready to step back into the fray.

The Cowboys’ early-season outlook hinges on their ability to protect Prescott and maintain their offensive rhythm. With five linemen currently banged up, the team may need more than just Collins to weather this storm. However, his return could provide immediate stability and a spark of familiarity for a squad facing adversity. If the injuries continue to pile up, Dallas may need to dig deeper into the free-agent market to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.