The Cowboys’ secondary took another hit in the second quarter when starting safety Jalen Thompson injured his left leg while attempting a tackle. Thompson could not put weight on the leg and limped to the blue medical tent for evaluation. He was listed as questionable to return with a hamstring injury, and further details about his condition were not clear.
Alijah Clark entered at safety alongside Markquese Bell after Thompson left. Bell had drawn a defensive pass interference penalty that contributed to Derrick Henry’s touchdown in the first half.
Dallas had promoted slot defender Reddy Steward from the practice squad before the game. The team was already without free safety Malik Hooker, who has a forearm injury from Week 1, and starting cornerback Cobie Durant, who suffered a hamstring issue in Week 2. Hooker’s replacement, PJ Locke, is also out with a foot injury.
Rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs, who has college experience at safety, has been on the practice squad. The effect of Thompson’s injury on the Cowboys’ defensive strategy was not yet clear as the team prepared for Week 3 against Baltimore.
