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Cowboys Rumors: Malik Hooker Likely to Sign Contract with Dallas After 2nd Visit
July 23, 2021
Free-agent safety Malik Hooker made a second visit to the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, according to the Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken.
Gehlken reported Hooker was expected to sign with the team as long as no hangups emerged during the visit.
Per the Star-Telegram's Clarence E. Hill Jr., nothing is imminent since the Cowboys "will have to wait 5 days before doing anything."
A first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, the 25-year-old was limited to two games in 2020 because of a torn Achilles. Through his first three seasons, he amassed 124 tackles, 11 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in June that Hooker had met with the Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins as he surveyed the market.
Because of the Achilles injury, CBS Sports' Patrik Walker reported Dallas had reservations about signing Hooker. The results of his physical will go a long way toward alleviating those concerns.
Patrik [No C] Walker @VoiceOfTheStarYes, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> were completely out on Malik Hooker initially following his first med look but, months later, they feel he’s in a much better place. <br><br>Only thing left is: <br><br>1. For his physical to show it. <br>2. The money to be reasonable. <br><br>Stay tuned.
A torn Achilles tendon can be a devastating injury. However, The Athletic's Stephen Holder reported in May that doctors have had success in shortening the recovery period for NFL players and mitigating the long-term effects of the injury.
Richard Sherman ruptured his Achilles in November 2017. Not only did he appear in 14 games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, but he also was named to his fifth Pro Bowl in 2019.
Entering the offseason, free safety was one of the Cowboys' bigger needs. But Dak Prescott's four-year, $160 million extension ate up a lot of the team's financial flexibility, thus limiting how it could address the secondary.
Depending on what kind of financial terms he commands, Hooker could be a cost-effective solution.