'Special News'? Cowboys Sign 1 Of 3 Safety Visitors
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys had visits scheduled Wednesday here at The Star with a trio of free-agent safeties, and now one of them has a contact.
What does that mean? Good news? Bad news?
It means ... Nothing, yet.
Dallas brought Malik Hooker, Damontae Kazee and Jayron Kearse to the team's headquarters for medicals and meetings. Kearse now has a one-year deal ... but that should not be confused with what Dallas is trying to do with the other two players… Nor does it block the Cowboys from continuing to work with the other two.
Hooker, for one, said via Twitter that his was “a good visit” as awaits to see “what the future holds.” Later he added that he "might have special news in a few days.''
That suggests that Hooker might be in negotiations with Dallas ... or that he has other suitors ... or that his medicals were not quite what the Cowboys are looking for.
Optimists can hope. Skeptics can gripe. More details are due.
The Cowboys have a major need at safety despite former Falcons first-rounder Keanu Neal joining up on a one-year deal over the weekend. Neal is expected to play a hybrid safety/linebacker role in Dan Quinn's defensive scheme, meaning the Cowboys haven't filled all the holes in the secondary.
Free safety Xavier Woods remains a free agent, though Dallas still has Donovan Wilson to potentially start at strong safety.
With no deal done with Dallas, Kazee - who like Hooker is a free safety - is already moving on to his next potential free-agent destination, the Detroit Lions. (Again, as Hooker is free to do.)
Kazee, a former fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2017, suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 last season. It's unknown if he'll be ready to go when training camp begins this summer. He had 10 interceptions and five forced fumbles in his four years in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Hooker did create a stir on social media after his visit with the Cowboys, saying his Achilles year rehab is “good and getting better " and that he can only "control what I can control and hope what's meant to be will be."
Hooker has the most name recognition of the three players Dallas brought in. The 24-year-old was taken by the Colts with the 15th overall pick in 2017. Unfortunately, injuries have marred his career, as he has missed 28 of a possible 64 career games in his four seasons in Indianapolis. Hooker tore his Achilles in Week 2 last season, putting his health in question.
The 6-4 Kearse has played in Minnesota and Detroit and is viewed as a potential helper on special teams. He shouldn't be considered on the same level with the more accomplished Hooker and Kazee ... but Dallas needs help. So maybe most any signee, including him, might be considered "special news.''
