The Dallas Cowboys could be without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker in their next two games after both were hurt in the season-opening loss to the New York Giants, coach Brian Schottenheimer said. Overshown sustained a hamstring strain that ended his game after halftime.
He is expected to be out for roughly one to two weeks, with Schottenheimer saying the team would like the absence to last about two weeks.
Hooker will undergo surgery for a fractured forearm. Dallas does not intend to put him on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. P.J. Locke is expected to handle Hooker’s snaps in the passing-down package, and Caleb Downs will continue at safety and in the slot in those situations.
The Cowboys can turn to Dee Winters, Jaishawn Barham and Shemar James at linebacker. Barham spent most of his snaps alongside Winters against New York, while James saw limited action. Schottenheimer called Winters the most experienced option and said practice-squad elevations, including Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron, are possible.
The injuries followed a defensive opener in which Dallas gave up 28 points, 394 yards, 165 rushing yards and nine third-down conversions on 11 attempts, while forcing one punt. Schottenheimer said first-year coordinator Christian Parker remains the right choice and expects improvement from Parker and the team’s young players. ESPN reported that no further timetables were provided.
