Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is scheduled for surgery on a fractured forearm, and Dallas will not place him on injured reserve, coach Brian Schottenheimer said. That designation would require at least four missed games. P.J. Locke is expected to replace Hooker in the team’s passing-down package, with Caleb Downs continuing in roles at safety and slot defender.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown has a hamstring strain and could miss one to two weeks. Overshown, whose role includes relaying defensive information from coaches to players, left the season-opening loss to the New York Giants after halftime. Schottenheimer said the team hopes the absence will be about two weeks, leaving both defenders potentially unavailable for the next two games.
Dallas may use Jaishawn Barham, Shemar James or practice-squad elevations to cover for Overshown. Barham spent most of his snaps alongside Dee Winters against New York, while James saw limited action. Schottenheimer called Winters the most experienced option and also mentioned veteran Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron.
The injuries followed a difficult opening game for first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s unit. Dallas gave up 28 points, 394 yards and 165 rushing yards, forced one punt and allowed nine conversions on 11 third-down tries. The results limited the Cowboys to two offensive possessions after halftime.
Schottenheimer said Parker remains the right coordinator and expects improvement from him and the team’s young players. No further timetables were provided.
