Dallas Cowboys coach provides multiple injury updates, and the plans to make up for it moving forward
The Dallas Cowboys defense is already dealing with a lot. Now you can add the absence of two starters over the next couple of weeks.
I’m sure Dallas Cowboys fans are fed up about talk about the defense but this time, it’s positive injury news.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed reporters on Monday and provided immediate injury updates on a couple of important starters: linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker.
Schottenheimer provides multiple updates
Schottenheimer told reporters safety Malik Hooker will have surgery on his wrist on Tuesday, but it’s not all bad news. Though it is a fracture, it’s not the kind that knocks NFL players for 4+ weeks.
“We’re hoping it’s a two week window,” Schottenheimer said.
Hooker will avoid Injured Reserve, putting him on track to return around Week 4.
As for Overshown, Schottenheimer said he’ll also miss 1-2 weeks with a hamstring strain. Losing these two is far from idea for a defense that’s already struggling. The silver lining being these are expected to be short-term abscences.
So what to expect as far as adjustments go?
Adjustments to come at LB
Schottenheimer was quick to mention Dee Winters is the most experienced linebacker of the room. Barring any additions, expect him to start like he did in Week 1. In addition to him, the Cowboys head coach mentioned a couple other names to monitor.
“(Rookie Jaishawn Barham) got some valuable playtime yesterday,” Schottenheimer said. “Did some good things, did some things that he needs to improve on. Shemar James is a valued member of our football team. Very smart, very bright.”
Schottenheimer also alluded to Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron as elevation candidates from the practice squad. Robinson specifically was mentioned as a “veteran,” which could give him the edge over Barron.
The plan for Caleb Downs, safety position
On Sunday, first-round rookie Caleb Downs fulfilled two roles. In nickel, he worked the slot as expected. But when the Cowboys were on base defense, meaning two safeties, he was still on the field alongside Jalen Thompson.
Don’t expect that to change much with Hooker’s injury, as Downs appears to be in line to continue playing nickel when the personnel dictates it. P.J. Locke is expected to replace Hooker in those instances.
“We love P.J. Locke,” Schottenheimer said. “Caleb played really, really well [. . .] Caleb is a guy that can move around, we like him down near the line of scrimmage.”
So there you have it. On top of the Cowboys defense needing to sort through the many issues exposed in the Giants’ 394-yard, four-touchdown performance, now they need to overcome two injuries to starters.
In the next two weeks, the Cowboys host Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and later travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to play Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Fun? We’ll see.
