Dallas will adjust its defense after linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker were injured in the season-opening loss to the New York Giants. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said both could miss the next two games, though no further timetables were provided.
Hooker will undergo surgery for a fractured forearm, but Dallas does not plan to place him on injured reserve because that would require at least four missed games. P.J. Locke is expected to replace him in the passing-down package. Caleb Downs will continue working at safety and as a slot defender in those situations.
Overshown has a hamstring strain and is expected to miss one to two weeks. He directs defensive communication between coaches and players. Jaishawn Barham played mostly beside Dee Winters against New York, and Shemar James also took limited snaps. Schottenheimer called Winters the most experienced option and said the team could elevate practice-squad players Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron.
The defense allowed 28 points and 394 yards in its opener, including 165 rushing yards. It forced one punt and allowed nine conversions on 11 third-down attempts, limiting Dallas to two offensive possessions after halftime. Schottenheimer said first-year coordinator Christian Parker remains the right person for the job and expects improvement from Parker and the team’s young players.