The Dallas Cowboys will be without two defensive starters for Sunday afternoon’s Week 2 game against the Washington Commanders. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker were ruled out after missing every practice during the week.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham is expected to start at middle linebacker and assume Overshown’s green-dot duties, which include receiving defensive instructions and communicating them before the snap. Overshown had seven tackles before leaving Dallas’ 28-20 Week 1 loss to the New York Giants with a hamstring injury.
P.J. Locke is the likely replacement for Hooker at free safety. Hooker broke his forearm against New York and underwent surgery.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said both players could miss about a week or two, and Dallas has not placed Hooker on injured reserve. The Cowboys also used first-round rookie Caleb Downs deep after Hooker left, but the coaching staff prefers Downs closer to the line of scrimmage, allowing him to keep that role if Locke plays deep.
Dallas received positive updates on offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius and outside linebacker James Houston. Cornelius practiced without restriction despite a knee issue, while Houston progressed from limited work Wednesday to full participation Thursday and Friday. Neither received a game designation, making both available against Washington. Overshown and Hooker are the only Cowboys ruled out, and no further details about the defensive changes were provided.