Cowboys safety Markquese Bell is a bit lighter in the wallet after being fined by the NFL for a facemask infraction.
Bell, 26, was docked $11,593 for grabbing the facemask of Chiefs defensive back Kevin Knowles during a kickoff return in the Cowboysâ 31-28 win on Thanksgiving Day, the league announced.
Ironically, while replays clearly show Bell grabbing Knowlesâ facemask and twisting his helmet, the play went unnoticed by officials and was not flagged.
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Bell Has Become Fixture in Cowboys Secondary
Bell, a fourth-year veteran out of Florida A&M, has quietly become a key part of Dallasâ secondary. In 13 games this season, Bell has 30 tackles (15 solo) with one interception and three passes defended.
His ability to stay on the field has been important in wake of injuries to fellow defensive backs Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson.
Through 14 weeks, the Cowboys rank 31st in opponentsâ scoring (29.7 points allowed per game) and 29th in yards allowed per game (378.6). At 6-6-1, they are on the outside looking in for the NFC playoffs.
The fine was Bellâs first of the season.
Ferguson Not Fined for Post-Catch Celebration
Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was more fortunate, as he was not fined for jumping into the Salvation Army kettle following a third-quarter catch that was initially ruled a touchdown.
Replays showed that Ferguson did not get both feet down inbounds while catching a pass from Dak Prescott in double coverage. The touchdown was overturned following a review.
The Cowboys ultimately settled for a 36-yard field goal to go up 20-14. The Chiefs answered with a touchdown, but Dallas retook the lead on its next possession, with Prescott finding running back Javonte Williams for a 3-yard score.
The Cowboys improved to 35-22-1 on Thanksgiving. However, hoping to build on that win, they lost 44-30 to the Lions last Thursday to fall further out of the playoff picture.
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