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Cowboys vs. Browns: Offensive line struggles mount

The Dallas Cowboys have had struggles on the offensive line all season long, issues that could only get worse moving forward.

Wesley Hitt

Many of the issues with the Dallas Cowboys this season are due to the team's struggles on the offensive line, which continued to get worse on Sunday after the 23-20 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns. Already missing their top two centers, the Cowboys could be without left tackle Tyron Smith for the foreseeable future after the second-year player suffered a high ankle sprain.

Per Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News, coach Jason Garrett was far from happy with the performance of the offensive line after the team allowed a season-high seven sacks.

"Obviously, we have to do better up front," Garrett said. "It wasn't pretty at all."

The Cowboys started guard Mackenzy Bernadeau at center, his first career start at the position, with Derrick Dockery taking over at right guard for the game. Tyron Smith lasted just one quarter and was replaced by Jermey Parnell, who has had only a handful of snaps at the position in his career.

Given the circumstances, it's not surprising the line struggled. Quarterback Tony Romo agrees.

"We obviously would love to do better. ... We need to get some guys healthy for our game Thursday," said Romo.

The Cowboys take on the Washington Redskins on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. CT.

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.