Cowboys to miss offensive starter for significant time with ankle injury 

The Dallas Cowboys are expecting to have to make some changes along the offensive line for the next two months or so as they wait out the recovery timetable for former third-round pick Cooper Beebe.

Beebe, who was selected out of Kansas State with pick No. 73 in the 2024 NFL Draft, found himself injured late in Dallas' Week 2 win over the New York Giants.

It was blocking on an extra point attempt when his ankle got caught up between a Giants player and tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

It was a bad enough injury that he was on crutches after the game, and on Monday, executive vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that Beebe is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks of play, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. 

Beebe was placed on the injured reserve on Monday with a lateral sprain and fracture of a small bone in his right foot.

Cowboys to turn to Brock Hoffman to replace Cooper Beebe

If there is anything the Cowboys can hang their hat on in the absence of Beebe, it's that his replacement, Brock Hoffman, has a good bit of experience.

Hoffman, an undrafted free agent in his third season out for Virginia Tech, started six games in 2024 at right guard and one at center when Beebe was out due to a concussion. He also secured a start at center in 2023, so this is a player who knows the offense and is comfortable stepping in and snapping the football to Dak Prescott.

"I definitely feel for Coop obviously getting hurt," Hoffman said. "You never want anybody to get hurt, but in terms of me, it's the same thing as kind of last year with those last seven games the year, stepped in for Zack (Martin). I'm ready for whatever opportunity comes."

Hoffman checks in at 6-foot-4, 302 pounds, and the Cowboys like the attitude that he brings to the offensive line.

"He gets underneath the defender's (skin), gets in their heads a little bit," head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "But, yeah, his play style, it's he's wired the right way, man. And our guys love him. He's definitely one of the leaders in that room."

Hoffman played the final 16 snaps of the game at center against the Giants in place of Beebe.

Beebe will be out for at least the next four games on the IR. If the six-to-eight-week timetable stands, he may look to target a return when the Cowboys take on the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 3.