Dallas will have two defenders unavailable for its Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders after linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker missed every practice session during the week. Both were ruled out for Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
The players were injured in the Cowboys’ 28-20 Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. Overshown sustained a hamstring injury, while Hooker broke his forearm and underwent surgery. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said each could miss about a week or two, and Dallas has not placed Hooker on injured reserve. Overshown recorded seven tackles before leaving the opener.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is expected to start at middle linebacker and assume Overshown’s green-dot duties, which include receiving defensive instructions and relaying them to teammates before the snap. P.J. Locke is the likely replacement at free safety. Dallas used first-round rookie Caleb Downs deeper after Hooker left, but the coaching staff prefers Downs closer to the line of scrimmage, making Locke’s positioning there possible.
Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius practiced without restrictions despite a knee issue. Outside linebacker James Houston progressed from limited work Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday. Neither player received a game designation, and both are available. Overshown and Hooker are the only Cowboys ruled out, with no further defensive adjustment details provided.
