Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is consulting a hand specialist after breaking his forearm in the Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. His absence could last as long as six weeks, but the team does not yet have a firm recovery timetable.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the injury's timeline will depend on which bone was affected and the type of fracture, since some breaks heal faster than others. Hooker left during the second half and did not come back. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said afterward that he thought the safety had suffered a forearm fracture.
Team co-owner Stephen Jones noted that certain fractures can be played through, so Hooker might not necessarily miss a game.
Dallas also lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to a hamstring injury early in the opener, and no condition update was available in the source material. Caleb Downs and Jalen Thompson handled the main safety duties in Week 1 when Downs was not in the slot. If Hooker cannot play, P.J.
Locke could fill his spot, with Alijah Clark and Markquese Bell also potentially seeing more action. Clark and Bell did not play on defense in the opener.
