As the Dallas Cowboys near the end of their training camp in Oxnard, the evaluation of their offensive line depth has become a priority. The offense, featuring quarterback Dak Prescott and standout receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, is expected to perform well, but concerns linger about the backup center role.
Veteran Matt Hennessy was initially expected to serve as the backup to starter Cooper Beebe, but a neck injury has placed him on season-ending injured reserve. This has led the Cowboys to consider T.J. Bass as the primary candidate for the backup center position, despite his limited experience there.
Bass, who has played guard and started in 10 games over the past three seasons, received a second-round tender this offseason, ensuring a salary of $5.76 million.
During the first preseason game, Bass started at center for two series before Nick Leverett took over. Leverett, who has experience at guard and one career start at center, has been working as the backup center in practice. The Cowboys are weighing their options as they seek to solidify their offensive line depth, especially with Beebe's injury history.
Currently, Bass is the frontrunner for the backup center role, but Leverett's performance may impact the final decision as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
