Important Cowboys defender could miss start of training camp after offseason surgery

When you think of the most Dallas Cowboys' most underrated players, Terence Steele springs to mind. He's one of a select few of ascending right tackles in the sport, but fan bases outside of Dallas likely couldn't pick him out of a lineup.

As far as the Cowboys defense is concerned, you can argue the entire secondary sans Stephon Gilmore and Trevon Diggs is overlooked.

Look no further than the three-headed monster at safety. Though Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson are regarded as the stars of the group, Malik Hooker was undoubtedly the team's most dependable deep-lying safety last year.

Hooker enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022 and enters the final year of the two-year contract he signed before last season.

Unfortunately, Hooker might be absent for the start of camp.

In an exclusive interview with Jess Nevarez of Pro Football Network, Hooker revealed he isn't medically cleared to return from offseason surgery to repair a dislocated thumb.

Cowboys' Malik Hooker still recovering from thumb surgery, could miss start of training camp.

Before you overreact, Hooker downplayed the injury to Nevarez. Further, the interview was done this week so Hooker's status is subject to change between now and when the Cowboys depart for Oxnard on July 24.

“It’s feeling great; it’s healthy. It’s not really a big deal. I played all last year with it, so it’s going good. I’m happy to have all of my fingers back," Hooker said.

You really couldn't tell based on Hooker's performance that he played all of last season with a dislocated thumb. His 73.9 player grade was his highest since his rookie campaign with the Colts back 2018, per Pro Football Focus.

In 16 games, Hooker logged 62 tackles, three interceptions, which tied Trevon Diggs for second on the team, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown against none other than the Colts, which kicked off Dallas' 33-point fourth quarter that turned a surprisingly close contest into a 54-19 drubbing.

Arguably the best pure tackler on the team, Hooker finished the year with four missed tackles, according to PFF. He also allowed a 92.7 passer rating to opposing QBs, was responsible for one touchdown and allowed just 10 yards after the catch all season.

Ready to build on a career year with the Cowboys, Hooker told Nevarez he's been training this offseason with Jayron Kearse. While safety falls pretty low on the position pecking order in today's NFL, Hooker, Kearse and Donovan Wilson vehemently believe they're the tone-setters on Dan Quinn's defense.

“So we just look at it like we got to set the tone, and we got to be the leaders of this defense," Hooker told Nevarez. "No disrespect to no other room because they think the same thing. But we felt like we are the engine that drives this thing, and that’s how we pride ourselves.”

Whether Hooker is out there for Day 1 of training camp, suffice it to say he's going to make sure the intensity is where it should be once he's back on the field.

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