Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer delivered a couple of brutal updates on the injury front heading into Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, and none of it is what you want to hear. The Cowboys defense, already struggling, is now increasingly banged up at cornerback, safety, and linebacker following their Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders.

PJ Locke and Cobie Durant could miss multiple weeks

Schottenheimer indicated that safety PJ Locke suffered a torn plantar fasciitis in his foot and could be out for a few weeks. Cornerback Cobie Durant is also facing a multi-week absence with a hamstring strain. The Cowboys have not determined whether either player will go on injured reserve.

“Both those guys could be a few weeks,” Schottenheimer said Monday. 

That obviously does not sound great for Week 3 availability, and Dallas will miss both on defense against a Lamar Jackson-led offense.

DeMarvion Overshown and Malik Hooker still in rehab

Schottenheimer also provided updates on two starters who missed the Week 2 game. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is dealing with a hamstring, and safety Malik Hooker is dealing with a forearm injury. Schottenheimer said both are progressing well in rehab. However, he is not sure they will be ready for Week 3.

Not only that but he admitted it’s an uphill battle.

“Could be tough because it’s a shorter week for us,” Schottenheimer said. “Not saying no [yet].” 

That leaves the Cowboys defense in a lot of trouble, as they could be down three starters on defense (Overshown, Hooker, and Durant) in addition to their top backup at safety (P.J. Locke).

Jaishawn Barham faces a conditioning test

Starting with Overshown’s absence, the Cowboys had to replace him with third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham. It was a mix of players at linebacker in Week 2 because Barham dealt with some stingers that forced him out of the game partially. There were also conditioning issues in the second half. He was spotted getting sick before a snap and then taking some time off the field.

Barham ended the game with a 63% snap count on defense, which is solid. But if he is set to be the mic linebacker, it will be a concern that he’s not playing more snaps, especially if part of the issue is conditioning. For comparison, Dee Winters, the other starter at linebacker, played 75% of the snaps, and that’s even though he missed a few reps after being shaken up on a play.

Overshown potentially missing Week 3 would put a lot more pressure on Barham being ready for the big stage, and specifically being ready from a conditioning standpoint to handle as many snaps as possible.

Hooker’s absence might matter even more

Hooker’s situation is arguably more concerning. If he does not return for Week 3, the Cowboys will be down to their fourth safety if we count Caleb Downs as a safety. It’s clear Dallas does not want to move Downs away from his role as a nickel whenever they can avoid it.

Here’s what happened on Sunday: The Cowboys replaced Hooker with PJ Locke in order for Downs to stay in the nickel. Locke lined up next to Jalen Thompson at safety. Then Locke suffered his foot injury, and the Cowboys had to play Markquese Bell in his place. The Commanders tried to take advantage of that hole in the secondary.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ravens do something similar. Hooker returning, in a way, is more important than Overshown returning for Week 3.

A shaky week ahead before the trip to Brazil

It will be a mystery from here until the end of the week. The Cowboys will have their initial injury report on Wednesday, will probably practice Thursday, and then fly to Brazil on Thursday night. The game status for everyone will be shaky. I would expect both Overshown and Hooker to be listed as questionable on Friday, but we’ll see what’s what later in the week.

For now, not great news for the Cowboys defense. They’re struggling, and now they’re increasingly banged up.