For years, Dallas has built its identity on their offensive line. This was the franchise that gave us the Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick era, the gold standard for trench play. Even as pieces moved on, the Cowboys kept finding ways to reload, Cooper Beebe in the middle and first-round pick Tyler Booker plugging in at guard. After three weeks, Jerry Jones‘ team ranked second in passing yards (841) and looked ready to win.

And then the injuries hit hard. Center Cooper Beebe went down first with a foot and ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve, keeping him out at least until Week 7. Now Booker is gone too, sidelined four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain. That is two starters gone in 10 days.

Jerry Jones did not sugarcoat it. “I thought one of our strengths this year is that offensive line,” he told reporters on September 22. “Bottom line is that is a setback for us.” And it is. Not just for Dak Prescott, but for an entire offense that had been rolling.

Booker’s absence hurts more than people realize. The 12th overall pick was already one of Dallas’ top graded run blockers. Now it will be TJ Bass or Trevor Keegan stepping into that role. Right before a Week 4 matchup against Micah Parsons and the Packers front. Beebe’s injury is trickier. There is a fracture involved, which means Dallas is not just being cautious; they are protecting their center for the long haul. Brock Hoffman, a former undrafted free agent, now takes over snapping duties.

Speaking of injuries, CeeDee Lamb is also dealing with a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple games. He logged 16 receptions for 222 yards without any scores in the first two games. Dallas is not sitting still. They worked out Wesley French this week, hoping to find depth before the situation gets worse. French, who started with the Colts, looks like the best option. Still, there is no quick fix here. This is survival mode.

That is the real problem. This is the same story Cowboys fans have seen too many times. Every time the line looks dominant, injuries stack up. And now, with a brutal schedule ahead, Dallas has to prove it can still be physical and win in the trenches.

Jerry Jones’ QB reveals his thoughts on heartbreaking loss

For three quarters in the week 3 game, Prescott kept fighting. He kept looking for answers, for that one drive that could flip the script. And then, with 8:42 left in the fourth, down three scores, the headset crackled. The call came to bench him. He wanted to stay in. He admitted as much after the game.

“Obviously I want every rep. I’m never happy about being pulled out,” Prescott said. “But you have to be realistic and professional about where the game was.” You could almost feel the frustration under the calm tone. Because this wasn’t just any game. It was a chance to stop the early-season bleeding. Prescott’s final line? 31 of 40 passes, 251 yards. One touchdown. Two interceptions. And those two picks were killers, both coming in the fourth quarter when Dallas was still clinging to a sliver of hope.

The Cowboys rolled up 396 total yards, but only 14 points made it to the board. Six of those came from field goals. Backup Joe Milton stepped in and went 3 of 5 for 41 yards, plus an interception of his own. It didn’t matter. The game had already slipped into garbage time. The Bears had Caleb Williams dealing, 19 of 28 for 298 yards, 4 TDs, no picks.

Every time Jerry Jones’ team looked ready to get back in it, Chicago hit them with another body shot. CeeDee Lamb didn’t even get to make a catch before leaving with an ankle sprain. George Pickens tried to pick up the slack, with five catches for 68 yards and a highlight-reel one-handed TD. But even he had a brutal drop that turned into an interception.

This is where it gets interesting. Prescott says, “I don’t get to play defense,” and he’s right. But this loss was on everyone.