The Dallas Cowboys will be missing two defensive starters for their Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker did not participate in any practice session during the week and were listed as out.
Overshown suffered a hamstring injury and Hooker broke his forearm in Dallas’ 28-20 Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. Hooker underwent surgery, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said both players could miss about a week or two. 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 for Hooker at free safety.
Dallas also used first-round rookie Caleb Downs deeper against New York, but the coaching staff prefers him closer to the line of scrimmage, allowing Downs to keep that assignment if Locke plays deep.
Dallas also reported that offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius practiced fully despite a knee issue. Outside linebacker James Houston participated fully Thursday and Friday after limited work Wednesday. Neither player received a game designation, so both are available. Overshown and Hooker are the only Cowboys ruled out, and no further details about the defensive changes were provided.
