The Dallas Cowboys catch a much-needed break with latest injury updates from Brian Schottenheimer, but one concern remains

The Dallas Cowboys head coach had plenty of updates to share after the heartbreaker in Brazil. And his comments on the linebacker room could reshape the defense against the Houston Texans.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Sep 27, 2026; Rio De Janeiro, BRA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (28) during the game at Maracana Stadium.
Sep 27, 2026; Rio De Janeiro, BRA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (28) during the game at Maracana Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After a devastating loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Dallas Cowboys need any win they can get. They hope to find one against the Houston Texans on Sunday, but Dallas already picked up a small victory in the middle of the week.

The Cowboys appear to have dodged some injury bullets, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who spoke to reporters Tuesday. Not everything was good news, though, and one position group should have fans worried heading into Week 4.

Let’s break it down.

Shavon Revel Jr. avoids a major injury

The biggest sigh of relief came at cornerback. Shavon Revel Jr. hurt his knee against the Ravens, but the Cowboys avoided anything major.

According to Schottenheimer, Revel will work back into practice this week and has not been ruled out for Sunday. It might be a tough turnaround, but Revel still seems to have a shot.

If he can’t go, Dallas has Caelen Carson and Ameer Speed on the roster. The Cowboys also signed Alex Austin, a defensive back who worked out for the team Tuesday.

Austin has been around the NFL since 2023, when the Buffalo Bills selected him in the seventh round. Since then, he’s played for the Texans and the New England Patriots, and he was part of the Miami Dolphins’ offseason roster before cuts.

Speaking of the cornerback room: Cobie Durant won’t play against the Texans. He needs more time.

Durant did avoid injured reserve, though. So maybe, just maybe, he’ll be available when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come up in Week 5. We’ll worry about that when the time comes.

DeMarvion Overshown’s return could shake up the linebackers

Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is also expected to have a chance to play Sunday. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury, but the expectation is he’ll return to the field.

Here’s where it gets fun. Schottenheimer said the rise of Jaishawn Barham is real, and the head coach added that Barham is making a strong case to never leave the field.

That is to say, Overshown returning may not mean he takes his spot back. Instead, he could play alongside Barham.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Overshown no longer wears the green dot, since he could be sliding into the role Dee Winters has been filling. If the Cowboys want to put their best linebacker duo on the field, I think this is the way.

Safety depth is a serious problem

Unfortunately, the news wasn’t as rosy at safety.

According to Schottenheimer, Malik Hooker might need another week as he recovers from a forearm injury that has kept him out since Week 1. He hasn’t been ruled out yet, but his head coach didn’t sound optimistic.

That’s a problem, because the Cowboys are dealing with a pile of injuries at the position. Jalen Thompson is headed to injured reserve, and PJ Locke was already there. Locke, Dallas’ top backup, hurt himself after taking over for Hooker in Week 2.

Barring a surprise, the Cowboys are going to be severely shorthanded at safety against Houston. That’s not what you want against any offense, let alone after the way things went in Brazil.

The first injury report of the week arrives Wednesday, and Dallas needs things to keep trending in a positive direction. For now, we wait.

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