Cowboys Camp: Markquese Bell vs. Juanyeh Thomas - Who Steps Up as 'Heart Piece'?

With injuries meaning chances, Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell earns praise from Malik Hooker. And coach Mike McCarthy gives praise to Juanyeh Thomas.

Football is often described as a "game of attrition.'' That's an issue in the secondary for the Dallas Cowboys, right now who saw safety Donovan Wilson go down with an injury at training camp,. With Wilson set to miss potentially the rest of the summer with a calf strain, Malik Hooker is quick to the point about missing his teammate. 

"We're looking forward to having him back," Hooker said. "That's the heart piece of our defense. You know, that's one of those guys that gets everybody going, and that's one of the guys we don't want to go into Sunday without."

Meanwhile, another safety, Israel Mukuamu, is also out (hamstring). And cornerback Trevon Diggs is nursing a sore toe. 

For now, then, until Wilson and the others return, it is a "next man up" mentality for Hooker and the rest of the Cowboys' secondary - with safety Markquese Bell catching Hooker's attention. 

"Obviously, you see Markquese Bell out to get a lot of the first-team resume," Hooker said. "He's been vocal. He's been stepping in as if he's one of the veteran guys. You know, he called himself that the last couple of [practices].

"I mean, the last couple of days we can call him a rookie, you have to pay your dues there but, just as a professional, he handles it very well. He comes in, puts his head down and works every day and studies, and then that's all you gotta ask for as a guy.''

Also getting a chance at safety now is Juanyeh Thomas, like Bell a second-year UDFA. Said Thomas: "Honestly, in this league you get one chance ... And I'm trying not to let the older guys down."

Head coach Mike McCarthy said of Thomas, "I think when we get to the end of camp, he may be at the front of the line or near the top of taking that (second-year) leap, that leap you are looking for.''

Thomas was on the practice squad all last year. Bell appeared in just five games for the Cowboys last year, not making a start and recording just one tackle. Thomas is 6-1, 215, Bell 6-3, 212. Maybe they end up helping as full-time special-teamers. Maybe it's something more.

In any event, right now, Dallas' depth is being tested. Bell and Thomas are trying to prove they can pass that test.

Fortunately for the Cowboys the injuries to Wilson and Mukuamu haven't been deemed season-ending, which leaves both open to return before the opener against the New York Giants. And Diggs is expected to be fine.

Until they do return, however, Bell will look to continue to impress and make his case for more playing time this season.

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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