Hill: A big hit - J.J. Wilcox breaks nose but sends message

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A big hit: J.J. Wilcox breaks nose but sends message

BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com

One of the reasons the Cowboys kept Giants star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in check last Sunday was a bone-crushing hit delivered by free safety J.J. Wilcox.

Beckham was briefly not knocked out of the game, but returned after undergoing concussion protocol. Beckham ended up with five catches for 44 yards in the game.

Wilcox suffered a broken nose on the play, but may have sent message to the rest of the receivers on the Cowboys schedule: keep your head on a swivel when catching passes in his vicinity.

When the Eagles, who the Cowboys play on Sunday, look at the film, Wilcox hope the receivers take notice.

“It’s good to build on,” Wilcox said. “It’s good to let them know you have to be careful going across the middle.”

Wilcox, in his second year as a starter, said he wants to establish himself as cornerstone safety for the organization. And a little broken nose that required eight stitches isn’t going to deter him. He never left the game against the Giants and will ready to go Sunday against the Eagles.

“He’s tough. Our safeties are tough. They’re physical, they’re tough players,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said of Wilcox and strong safety Barry Church. “That’s a great statement for a defense when those guys are tough. That’s a great start when you get those guys back there with a hit like that. You know where he’s at.”

Marinelli also likes the message the hit sent to future opponents, starting Sunday against the Eagles.

“We’re going to hit,” Marinelli said with a wry smile.
 
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