Safety Malik Hooker will undergo surgery for a fractured forearm, while linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is expected to miss one to two weeks after suffering a hamstring strain. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Dallas hopes Overshown’s absence will be about two weeks. The Cowboys may be without both defenders for the next two games, though the team did not provide a more specific timetable.
Dallas does not plan to put Hooker on injured reserve, which would require at least four missed games. P.J. Locke is expected to replace him in the passing-down package, with Caleb Downs continuing in roles at safety and slot defender.
Jaishawn Barham took most of the snaps alongside Dee Winters against the New York Giants, and Shemar James also saw limited action. Schottenheimer called Winters the most experienced option and said the team could elevate practice-squad players Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron.
Overshown, the middle linebacker responsible for defensive communication between coaches and players, left after halftime of the season-opening loss. The injuries followed a game in which Dallas allowed 28 points and 394 yards, including 165 rushing yards. The Cowboys forced one punt and allowed nine conversions on 11 third-down tries, leaving the offense with two possessions after halftime.
Schottenheimer said first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker remains the right person for the job and expects improvement from Parker and the team’s young players.
