Markquese Bell injury update: Mike McCarthy provides latest on surgery, status for rest of season

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell will undergo surgery on his shoulder injury and miss the rest of the year, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Wednesday. Bell went down during Monday night’s game against the Houston Texans.

ESPN’s Todd Archer previously reported Bell would be out for the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder and surgery was a possibility. McCarthy confirmed he would undergo a procedure and said the Cowboys will “definitely miss him this year.”

Bell is one of the Cowboys’ top special teams players this year and has taken on multiple roles since signing with the franchise as an undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M. Last year, he played both defense and special teams, and he had 168 special-teams snaps at the time of his injury on Monday Night Football.

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy says Markquese Bell (shoulder) will undergo surgery and "we'll definitely miss him this year"

— Grant Gordon (@TCNGrantGordon) November 20, 2024

Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel spoke about Bell’s injury Tuesday and got emotional while doing so. He discussed what he means to the unit and his development during the early part of his career.

“Yeah, that one hurts,” Fassel said. “He’s played as good of special teams ball through 10 games as I can remember. He got hurt doing what he does best, just flying in there and diving. He’s gonna be okay, but gosh. I spend so much time with these guys in meetings and on the practice field and on the game field. The emotions of going undrafted and wanting more and accepting his role and thriving in his role. I’m hurting for him, because he was on a mission. He was as good as we’ve had in a while.”

Markquese Bell is the latest notable injury for the Cowboys, who are also operating without quarterback Dak Prescott for the rest of the year after a hamstring injury. Dallas fell to 3-7 with Monday night’s loss to the Houston Texans, extending its losing streak to five games.