The Dallas Cowboys continued their rough 2024 NFL season on Monday night with another blowout loss at home, this time to the Houston Texans by a final score of 34-10.
With the loss, Dallas fell to 3-7 on the season and has dropped its last five games. However, the Cowboys suffered some more disappointing news after safety Markquese Bell left the game with a nasty shoulder injury.
Less than ten seconds into the second quarter, the Cowboys scored their only touchdown of the game on a 64-yard catch and run by wide receiver KaVontae Turpin.
On the ensuing kickoff, Texans returner Dameon Pierce received the ball at the two-yard line but muffed it, proceeding to recover and continuing the play. After Pierce scooped the ball up, Bell made an attempt at a tackle, causing his arm to bend in an awkward direction.
Following the incident, Bell was escorted off the field and back into the locker room, holding his arm upright the whole way.
A slow-motion video of the injury was posted online, and the social media doctor claimed it was a "clear anterior/inferior shoulder dislocation" that would likely need surgery and end Bell's season. The doc was right, and Bell will likely be out for Dallas' final seven games.
Warning: This video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
On Tuesday, Dallas special teams coach John Fassel discussed Bell's injury. When asked how big of a blow it is to lose a player like Bell. Fassel appeared to get emotional.
"He's put as good a special teams ball through ten games as I can remember," Fassel said after collecting himself. "I mean, man. He got hurt doing what he does best, just flying in there, diving. He's going to be okay... Damn, I'm hurting for him because he was on a mission. He was as good as we've had in a while."
Bell played a significant role on the Cowboys' defense during the 2023 season, recording 94 tackles, good for second on the team, four passes defended and two forced fumbles. However, the former Florida A&M star took a back seat in 2024 but found a major role in Fassel's special teams unit. His injury is another unfortunate blow for the Cowboys.
