Embodiments include an end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient, the end effector including a first jaw having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and an anvil having an anvil face; a second jaw having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples, the cartridge having a cartridge face; a first coupling that couples the first end of the first jaw to the first end of the second jaw; and a second coupling that movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw, where the second coupling includes a rigid link connected to the first jaw and the second jaw.