Dallas Cowboys Injury Updates: Tracking the many blows to the defense going into Week 4, including $33 million player headed to IR
The Dallas Cowboys are severly banged up on defense. Jerry Jones provided some important updates on the radio ahead of Week 4 against the Houston Texans.
The Dallas Cowboys are severly banged up. Particularly on defense. In the final play against the Baltimore Ravens, when the Cowboys gave up a 27-yard pass that set up the Ravens’ game-winning field goal with one second on the clock, the defense had four backup defensive backs on the field.
That includes practice squad CB Reddy Steward, who gave up the catch to Zay Flowers. And many of these injuries aren’t going away. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones provided multiple updates on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning.
Cowboys injury updates via Jerry Jones
- S Jalen Thompson (hamstring), out a minimum 4 weeks, IR candidate: Though the Cowboys have yet to place Thompson on IR, there’s no question they will do it and he’ll join P.J. Locke there. He’s out for four weeks so there’s no point in him taking up a 53-man roster spot. This is a major blow to the defense, as Thompson was the Cowboys’ biggest free agency signing since Brandon Carr in 2013 (3 year, $33 million deal).
- DT Jonathan Bullard (calf), out 3-4 weeks: Bullard missed most of training camp but still made the Cowboys roster. On Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he was largely responsible for some of the biggest stops against Derrick Henry. It’s a significant blow but the Cowboys have talent at DT with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams.
- CB Shavon Revel Jr. (knee), no timeline: The Cowboys are optimistic about Revel Jr.’s timeline to return which is major considering Cobie Durant is already out a few weeks. However, his timetable is “less specific” and remains to be seen if he has a multi-week injury, according to Jones.
In addition to the above three, who suffered injuries in Week 3 against the Ravens, the Cowboys are also dealing with previous injuries. Top backup safety P.J. Locke was placed on IR last week and is set to miss another 4+ weeks according to Stephen Jones. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and Malik Hooker were expected to miss two weeks after Week 1 injuries. Now that they have, we’ll monitor their statuses for Week 4 against the Houston Texans.
Cobie Durant was expected to miss multiple weeks after being injured in Week 2. We’ll probably hear more on those during the week from HC Brian Schottenheimer.
But clearly, the Cowboys need some outside help right now. The defense was already struggling when healthy. As for defensive coordinator Christian Parker, it may be time to simlpify the defense as he shuffles around younger players and potentially, newcomers.
