Markquese Bell, a veteran safety for the Dallas Cowboys, is set to undergo shoulder surgery soon, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. This procedure will likely sideline him for a significant amount of time, possibly placing him on season-ending injured reserve.
“He’s been incredibly consistent and has always done whatever we’ve asked of him,” McCarthy remarked. “He’s been a key player for John [Fassel] since the moment he joined the team, and we’ll definitely miss him.”
Bell sustained the injury early in the second quarter during the kickoff after KaVontae Turpin’s touchdown, visibly wincing in pain after attempting a tackle on Dameon Pierce.
John Fassel, the special teams coordinator, became emotional during his weekly press conference on Tuesday when discussing Bell’s injury, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
“That one really hurts,” Fassel said, pausing to gather his thoughts. “He’s been playing exceptional special teams this season, and he got hurt doing what he does best—charging in and diving into the action.”
Bell came to the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 from Florida A&M, and this season, he recorded two special teams tackles. However, his influence went far beyond what the stats show, particularly within Fassel’s unit.
“The journey from being undrafted to wanting more, embracing his role, and excelling in it—I’m really hurting for him because he was on a mission,” Fassel shared. “He was one of the best we’ve had in a long time. This one stings.”
